Many regards multispectral imagers as the workhorse of spaceborne Earth Observation. Traditionally, large satellites performed multispectral imaging delivering repeatable imaging products used across a comprehensive spectrum of applications. Most of the successes of Earth Observation information systems were built on the back of larger satellites launched in the 80s, 90s, and 2000s.
Today, multispectral Cubesat imagers are becoming the norm. It all started with the launch of multispectral imagers onboard microsatellites, and then Planet popularised it with their constellation of commercial Cubesat multispectral imagers. They were going beyond experimentation to commercial sustainability.
AGILE AEROSPACE
Cubesat multispectral imagers are ideal for testing and developing a minimum viable product, in line with the principles of agile aerospace. The fact is, you can optimize the spectral band selection for your specific business model needs and test it in space for less than $500k within less than 12 months. Getting into space is not a challenge anymore. Validating your business case is, and Cubesat multispectral imagers are ideal in derisking the business development phase in an agile manner.
AFFORDABLE
MultiSpectral Cubesat imagers are affordable. Getting one in space and operating it costs the fraction of a large satellite. And, by launching multiple Cubesats into space to deliver on your business model, operational risks are reduced considerably. Think about it, if a malfunction occurs on a large satellite, the whole mission is jeopardized.
TIME TO SPACE
Time to space is the next significant benefit of Cubesat multispectral imagers. In a commercial world, time to market is everything. Each day you spend time developing technology, you burn cash and frustrate investors.
REVISIT TIME
Large Earth Observation satellites are known for their large swath widths, enabling the coverage of large areas in a single pass. Although multispectral CubeSat imagers may not have the same wide swath as their bigger sisters, the option to fly multiple of them increases the coverage and reduces the revisit time considerably.
DATA COST AND ACCESSIBILITY
The benefits listed above have a direct impact on the data cost and accessibility. Earth Observation data is no more a luxury item but is quickly becoming a commodity. End-users need a lot of it daily and at the lowest cost possible. The whole data delivery process needs to be seamless and effortless.
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