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15/01/2025
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The inaugural IRIDE satellite – the Pathfinder Hawk – is currently orbiting Earth following its launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 14 January.
As indicated by its ‘Pathfinder’ designation, this new microsatellite serves as a prototype for one of the six IRIDE constellations, specifically designed to deliver data applicable to a broad spectrum of environmental, emergency, and security services for Italy.
Launched by the Italian Government, the IRIDE initiative utilizes funds from the EU-supported Recovery and Resilience Plan for Italy (PNRR), supplemented by financial resources from Italy’s National Complementary Plan.
ESA’s responsibility is to collaborate with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to develop the six satellite constellations associated with the IRIDE project.
Each of the six constellations incorporates unique satellite technologies ranging from radar and optical to hyperspectral and multispectral instruments. The comprehensive IRIDE constellation is expected to commence operations by June 2026.
Functioning as a prototype, the Hawk for Earth Observation Pathfinder, launched yesterday, will utilize its camera-like technology to demonstrate its capability of imaging with a ground resolution of just three metres.
President of ASI, Teodoro Valente, remarked, “The initiation of the Pathfinder Hawk satellite signifies a significant advancement for the IRIDE initiative and for the entire Italian space industry.
“This satellite is intended to pave the way for the IRIDE constellation, a program stemming from the strategic vision of the Italian government, which has ardently supported and financed this infrastructure within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, affirming the nation’s commitment to research and innovation.
“With the coordination of ESA and the Italian Space Agency, along with the collaboration of the national industry, Italy solidifies its role as a technological and scientific leader in Earth observation.”
ESA’s Director of Earth Observation Programmes, Simonetta Cheli, also emphasized, “With the Pathfinder Hawk satellite now in orbit, we reach a highly significant milestone for the IRIDE initiative, which we are delighted to be involved in.
“I wish to extend my congratulations to Argotec on this major accomplishment and eagerly anticipate the further expansion of the IRIDE system this year.”
The Hawk constellation, currently being developed by the Italian firm Argotec, aims to furnish data to enhance services related to coastal and maritime monitoring, land cover and usage, and emergency and security services in Italy.
In the forthcoming weeks, Argotec’s Flight Control Team will be focused on commissioning and fine-tuning the Pathfinder satellite to ensure that the essential and sensitive operations planned for IRIDE can proceed smoothly.
By the end of this year, nine additional Hawk satellites will be launched, followed by another 15 satellites by June 2026.
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