Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Space
  • /
  • SEOSAT/Ingenio ready for testing

Space

SEOSAT/Ingenio ready for testing

Airbus built SEOSAT/Ingenio, the first Earth observation satellite for the European Space Agency (ESA) and Spanish government has left Madrid and is ready for final testing.


Copyright Airbus

 
The spacecraft will now start a three month environmental test campaign which includes the Thermal Balance and Vacuum test, followed by Mechanical Vibration, Acoustic and Electromagnetic Compatibility testing. Fifty engineers and technicians from Airbus Spain will carry out all the different tests at Airbus in Toulouse.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 
SEOSAT/Ingenio will be transported back to the Madrid-Barajas site in mid-September where the last functional tests will be carried out. The compatibility with the ground segment and the launcher will also be verified. Once these are complete, the Qualification Acceptance Review will take place, which is the final ESA milestone and the satellite will be ready to be launched.
 
Advertisement
ODU RT

The launch is scheduled for the first half of 2020 onboard a Vega launcher from Kourou, French Guiana.
 
Once in orbit, SEOSAT/Ingenio will complete Spain’s Earth observation system, complemented by the PAZ satellite already in orbit since February 2018. Together, they will provide combined radar and optical images.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

Space

ESA officially adopts ARRAKIHS as F2 Mission

12 June 2026

The European Space Agency (ESA) has officially adopted ARRAKIHS as its second FAST-class (F2) scientific mission, with the University of Surrey leading the UK’s role in the project to uncover the hidden history of galaxies ahead of a confirmed target launch date of 2030.

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

Space

UK funding boosts breakthrough space tech

11 June 2026

At London Tech Week, UK Space Minister Liz Lloyd unveiled more than £19 million to support British companies developing next-generation space technologies.

Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

Aerospace Security Space

Tekever and Sapient Perception to explore airborne ISR sensing integration

9 June 2026

Tekever and Sapient Perception have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the integration and evaluation of Sapient Perception’s 10K camera system on Tekever uncrewed aerial systems.

NewOrbit to open Earth’s last empty orbit

Space

NewOrbit to open Earth’s last empty orbit

8 June 2026

Between commercial aircraft at 10 km and conventional satellites at 500 km lies a band of near-Earth space, called very low earth orbit (or VLEO), which until now, has not been accessible for commercial space flight.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Britain’s Mars lander plaques land across the UK

Space

Britain’s Mars lander plaques land across the UK

5 June 2026

A series of commemorative red plaques will tell the story of Beagle 2, the pioneering British spacecraft that, against all odds, made it to the surface of Mars.

DSEI Germany adds fourth exhibition hall

Defence Security Space Events

DSEI Germany adds fourth exhibition hall

3 June 2026

The organisers of DSEI Germany have announced that, due to unprecedented industry demand, they will be opening a fourth exhibition hall ahead of its debut in March 2027.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
General Atomics LB