TopSat Update: Transmitting

TopSat Image(click to view full) Britain’s TopSat micro-satellite and accompanying ground systems are part of a broader satellite R&D effort called MOSAIC. The satellite can deliver real time data and is engineered to provide 2.8 meter black & white/ 5 meter color resolution images at a much reduced cost compared to larger satellites. The programme has been jointly funded by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and the UK Ministry of Defence at a mission cost below GBP 14 million. The first high resolution images of the Earth transmitted by TopSat were received December 19, 2005 at QinetiQ’s West Freugh ground station. Regarding the image that accompanies this update… QinetiQ’s release notes that the satellite image was acquired at 10:03am on Wednesday December 7, 2005. In the exapanded image, the morning traffic is clearly visible on the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge at the Dartford Crossing, UK. The image shows Thurrock and the Lakeside shopping centre in Essex to the north, and Greenhithe and the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent to the south. Ships are visible underway from the Thames estuary and alongside at the Tilbury docks to the east. TopSat imagery at nadir has a nominal 2.8m resolution in black […]