Helsinki, FINLAND – July 8th, 2020 – ICEYE, Finnish New Space and global leader in small satellite synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology, is providing its SAR satellite data for assessment via ESA’s Earthnet Third Party Mission (TPM). Through this programme, ESA sponsors the cost to access ICEYE’s SAR data for research and Earth Observation (EO) based application development.
“We are very proud to begin distributing SAR data to the international user community through ESA’s Earthnet Third Party Mission.”, said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE. “ICEYE has always aimed for providing wide and easy access to its SAR data, and this is an excellent step forward in that. ESA’s Earthnet programme and the TPM framework is a phenomenal tool for data users that shows the value of European collaboration.”
The Earthnet Third Party Mission is an ESA framework that enables the collection and distribution of data from non-ESA satellite missions free-of-charge for international Principal Investigators. ESA allows the data to be used for research and applications development including preparation of future operational use. Furthermore, ESA utilizes third party satellite data to supplement its own internal projects.
Giuseppe Ottavianelli, ESA TPM Mission Manager: “ESA will facilitate the ICEYE data assessment through a dedicated Announcement of Opportunity process which is open to all international Principal Investigators. In the future, ESA also plans to implement specific studies on various application topics. With the upcoming launch, the importance of ICEYE imagery in the EO Research and Development community will certainly grow by enabling new operational EO based services.”
The Announcement of Opportunity (AO) process requires the submission of a project proposal. All information is available on ESA’s AO webpage for ICEYE data.
Roberto Biasutti, ESA TPM Operational Manager: "ICEYE's constantly growing SAR satellite constellation represents a milestone in the radar Earth observation industry. It is of great importance for our Principal Investigators to explore the potential of ICEYE data. ESA is delighted to support this process."
In the framework of the TPM programme, ESA and its members aim to establish dialogues with the various mission providers and to promote global cooperation between space agencies and companies to make resources and knowledge widely available to the EO community. The TPM activity has been in effect for more than 40 years and is funded under ESA’s Earthnet programme.
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About ICEYE
ICEYE is building and operating its own commercial constellation of radar imaging satellites, with SAR data already available to customers. ICEYE empowers others to make better decisions in governmental and commercial industries by providing access to timely and reliable SAR satellite imagery. The company is tackling the current crucial lack of actionable information with world-first aerospace capabilities and a New Space approach. ICEYE’s radar satellite imaging service, designed to deliver very frequent coverage, both day and night, helps clients resolve challenges in sectors such as maritime, disaster management, insurance, and finance. For more information, please visit: www.iceye.com
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"A very high-resolution radar image of Paris, France, taken in a Spotlight High imaging mode with an ICEYE SAR satellite."
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ICEYE logo.
