European Direct Access Facility enters operational status
The earth observation satellite "WordView-2" currently provides the highest resolution satellite images from space. The receiving antenna for the data from the world's first commercial Earth observation satellite with eight spectral channels and a resolution of 50 centimetres has gone into operation at the German Remote Sensing Data Centre (DFD) at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen.
The receiving system, known as the "European Direct Access Facility" (DAF), enables satellite image users in Europe to order up-to-date images of WorldView-1 and WorldView-2 satellite images via a direct data link.
The DAF is a co-operation between DLR and European Space Imaging (EUSI), the leading operator of high-resolution satellites in Europe and North Africa. The receiving system is part of the so-called World View Global Alliance, a commercial partnership between the companies EUSI, Space Imaging Middle East and Digital Globe.
Leading provider in Europe
The partnership with DLR consolidates EUSI's position as the only European satellite data provider with its own ground stations for the direct commanding of satellites and downlinking of data.
"We have been cooperating with European Space Imaging for more than seven years in the management and optimisation of station operations," explains Prof. Stefan Dech, Director of the German Remote Sensing Data Center at DLR. "The DAF commissioning puts us in a leading position in Europe for receiving high-resolution Earth observation data, and we will also greatly promote the application of this data." Thanks to the DAF receiving system, EUSI is now able to take local weather conditions into account when planning images, efficiently map larger areas and achieve better image quality. In addition, the images can be created and delivered on the same day.
"The commissioning of this system not only makes our offering unique, it also provides us with the platform to offer our customers high-quality products and services faster than any other provider," summarises Adrian Zevenbergen, Managing Director of EUSI.
Jill Smith, Chairman and Managing Director of DigitalGlobe, adds: "In 2010, WorldView-2, a high-resolution satellite with 8 spectral bands, reached operational status: our image database now stores more than 1 billion square kilometres of excellent quality image data. With the launch of the DAF receiving facility at DLR, we can offer expert, regional and high-quality services."
Links
Downloads
- EUSI - DAF (65.0 KB)