SSOT FASat Charlie is Chile’s first high-resolution operational Earth observation satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space and launched in 2011. Known as "FASat-Charlie" in Chile, this agile satellite provides extremely high-quality imagery that supports a diverse range of applications, including mapping, agriculture, urban planning, military intelligence, and natural resource management. Built on the AstroBus-XS platform, SSOT enhances Chile's capabilities in risk assessment and disaster management by delivering precise optical observations. This innovative system exemplifies Airbus's commitment to providing advanced satellite solutions that empower nations to effectively monitor and manage their environments.
SSOT FASat Charlie is Chile’s first high-resolution operational Earth observation satellite, developed by Airbus Defence and Space and launched in 2011. Known locally as "FASat-Charlie," this agile satellite provides extremely high-quality imagery that enhances Chile's capabilities in various applications, including mapping, agriculture, urban planning, military intelligence, and natural resource management. Built on the AstroBus-XS platform, SSOT is designed to deliver precise optical observations, enabling effective risk assessment and disaster management. This innovative system exemplifies Airbus's commitment to advancing satellite technology and supporting countries in monitoring and managing their environments effectively.
PeruSat-1 is a high-resolution Earth observation satellite developed by Airbus Defence and Space, designed to enhance Peru's capabilities in monitoring natural resources, agriculture, urban development, and disaster management. Launched in 2016, this state-of-the-art satellite provides detailed imagery that supports various applications, including environmental monitoring and land use planning. Equipped with advanced optical sensors, PeruSat-1 delivers high-quality data that enables government agencies and organizations to make informed decisions based on accurate geospatial information. This satellite exemplifies Airbus's commitment to providing innovative solutions that empower nations to effectively manage their resources and respond to challenges in real time.
The TEXUS sounding rockets, built by Airbus, are designed to conduct vital experiments in microgravity, enabling significant advancements in scientific research. Recently, TEXUS 59 and 60 were successfully launched from the Esrange Space Centre in Kiruna, Sweden, with TEXUS 60 reaching an impressive apogee of 251 km and providing 362 seconds of microgravity time. These missions included payloads such as two experiments from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) named Simona and GECO, along with a collaborative experiment called Phoenix 2 conducted with the Japanese Space Agency JAXA. The TEXUS program plays a crucial role in facilitating groundbreaking discoveries by allowing researchers to explore various phenomena in a microgravity environment.
The Bartolomeo platform, located on the European Columbus Module of the International Space Station (ISS), offers easy access to low-Earth orbit for a variety of payloads. Designed by Airbus, Bartolomeo serves as the ISS's newest payload hosting platform, accommodating payloads starting from as small as 3U. It provides an all-in-one mission service that includes technical support for payload preparation, launch and installation, operational management, data transfer, and optional return to Earth. With available slots for booking, Bartolomeo enables researchers and organizations to efficiently conduct experiments and technology demonstrations in space, making it a valuable asset for advancing space exploration and innovation.
Starlab is the next-generation commercial space station being developed by Airbus in collaboration with Voyager Space and Japan's Mitsubishi Corporation, aimed at ensuring a continued human presence in low-Earth orbit following the International Space Station's retirement. Set to be operational by the end of this decade, Starlab will facilitate a seamless transition for microgravity science and research into a new era of commercial space exploration. This innovative space station is designed to serve a diverse global customer base, including space agencies, researchers, and businesses of all sizes, providing essential facilities for scientific experiments and technological advancements in microgravity. With its advanced capabilities, Starlab is positioned to play a crucial role in the future of space exploration and utilization.
The JUICE (JUpiter ICy moons Explorer) spacecraft, developed and built by Airbus for the European Space Agency, is set to explore Jupiter and its three largest icy moons: Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. As the prime contractor since 2015, Airbus has coordinated a consortium of over 80 companies to bring this ambitious project to fruition. Launched in April 2023, JUICE is on an approximately eight-year journey to the Jovian system, where it will spend four years conducting detailed studies of these moons to assess their potential for hosting life. This mission aims to answer fundamental questions about planetary formation, the emergence of life, and the workings of our solar system, with significant discoveries anticipated by 2030.
CHEOPS, which stands for CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite, is a pioneering spacecraft developed by Airbus for the European Space Agency (ESA) to enhance our understanding of exoplanets orbiting nearby stars. Launched at the end of 2019, CHEOPS is the first ESA satellite produced by Airbus in Spain and represents a significant advancement in the search for Earth-like planets. Weighing 300 kg, the satellite is designed to conduct detailed observations of small planets to determine their composition and potential habitability. Built by an Airbus-led consortium of 24 companies from 11 European countries, CHEOPS is part of ESA's "S" (small) missions, utilizing proven technologies to ensure rapid deployment and contribute valuable data to the scientific community in the quest to explore the universe.
BepiColombo is Europe's first mission to Mercury, named after the renowned Italian professor Giuseppe Colombo, and it commenced its journey in October 2018. This ambitious deep space exploration mission is a collaborative effort between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), with Airbus playing a crucial role in its development. BepiColombo aims to investigate Mercury's unique internal structure, magnetic field generation, and its interactions with the Sun and solar wind. Additionally, the mission will explore surface features and chemical compositions, including the presence of ice in permanently shadowed craters at the planet's poles. By providing valuable insights into Mercury, BepiColombo is set to enhance our understanding of the solar system's smallest and least-explored terrestrial planet.
Eurostar Neo is a high-performance communications satellite platform designed for a wide array of missions, offering unmatched reliability in orbit. This fully customizable geostationary (GEO) satellite is compatible with all launch vehicles and is recognized as the industry benchmark for in-orbit performance. Drawing on over 30 years of heritage from the Eurostar family, Eurostar Neo features an optimized payload-centric design that enhances mission capacity and a scalable power system capable of supporting payloads ranging from 7 to 24 kW. With 100% all-electric propulsion and a launch mass between 3 to 6.8 tons, Eurostar Neo has garnered over 90 orders and boasts more than 1,000 years of successful operational experience, making it a trusted choice for telecommunications and navigation applications worldwide.
OneSat is a groundbreaking telecommunications satellite developed by Airbus, designed to transform the satellite market by offering unprecedented flexibility and adaptability. This innovative satellite platform is fully reconfigurable in orbit, allowing it to respond to evolving mission scenarios and new market demands without the need for physical modifications. Built on a standard, modular design-to-manufacture approach, OneSat can be delivered more rapidly and at a lower cost compared to traditional telecommunications satellites. It includes an integrated ground system and software suite that maximizes the satellite's capabilities, providing an end-to-end solution for operators. With its software-defined architecture and streamlined production process, OneSat is poised to address future challenges in space communications effectively.
Airbus is a global leader in spacecraft design and manufacturing, particularly in the development of large satellite constellations, which requires innovative approaches to optimize costs and enhance performance. With over 600 OneWeb satellites successfully launched, Airbus stands out as one of the few manufacturers capable of completing a telecommunications satellite constellation. Building on its extensive experience with traditional geostationary satellite assembly methods, Airbus has established a unique assembly line in Toulouse, France, and Merritt Island, USA, along with an advanced procurement supply chain. This expertise has led to the creation of the ARROW platform, designed to adapt to the specific needs of high-performance space applications while ensuring efficiency and scalability in satellite production.
Airbus is at the forefront of military space solutions, providing critical space-based products and services that enhance defense and security capabilities. With a focus on communication, navigation, and real-time intelligence and surveillance, Airbus ensures that military forces remain connected and capable of managing the increasing volume of data required for effective operations. Their military satellite communication solutions are designed to be secure, flexible, and scalable, enabling users to exchange vital information seamlessly across various domains—on the ground, at sea, in the air, and in orbit. Additionally, Airbus's military Earth observation satellites empower nations to improve their strategic planning and decision-making processes, reinforcing national security and sovereignty in an increasingly complex global landscape.
The Airbus Tiger HAD is a state-of-the-art multi-role attack helicopter specifically designed for high-intensity conflicts and complex collaborative environments. Proven in combat scenarios across Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali, the Tiger excels in various mission profiles, including armed reconnaissance, air and ground escort, air-to-air combat, ground fire support, and anti-tank warfare, both day and night. Its tandem-seat glass cockpit allows the pilot and gunner to effectively manage weapon systems and flight controls, with multifunction LCD displays providing critical sensor data and situational awareness. This versatility and operational effectiveness make the Tiger HAD a benchmark in modern attack helicopters, ensuring military forces can respond decisively in diverse combat situations.
The NH90 military helicopter is a cutting-edge multi-role rotorcraft developed to meet stringent NATO standards, available in two primary configurations: Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). This versatile helicopter features a fully integrated mission system that enables effective operations in demanding environments, both over land and at sea, during day and night. With over 500 units delivered to 18 customers across 14 countries by the end of 2023, the NH90 has accumulated more than 400,000 flight hours, demonstrating its reliability and performance. Developed through a collaboration of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and Fokker Aerostructures under the NHIndustries partnership, the NH90 stands as a modern solution for military forces seeking a capable and innovative medium-sized helicopter for various operational needs.
