COSMO-SkyMed: e-GEOS (Telespazio/ASI) wins contract in Australia

Rome  07 February 2018 10:00

e-GEOS, a joint venture of Telespazio (80%) and the Italian Space Agency (20%), strengthens its international presence with an important agreement signed in Australia for the supply of data generated by the Italian COSMO-SkyMed satellites.

e-GEOS won an international bid for the supply of geo-information services to the AMSA (Australian Maritime Safety Authority), the government body tasked with guaranteeing shipping safety and the protection of the country’s marine environment, as well as the coordination of emergency operations at sea. Services shall be provided by e-GEOS through their local partner Geospatial Intelligence Pty Limited. 

In particular, e-GEOS will support the monitoring of oil spills thanks to the use of the COSMO-SkyMed radar constellation, which is capable of continuously controlling, in any visibility, the affected areas. The satellite data will allow for more detail in identifying illegal oil dumping in the seas and the ships causing pollution, allowing for timely intervention.

The agreement also includes the evaluation of future partnerships between e-GEOS and the AMSA, for the use the satellite data in other applications, such as search and rescue operations.

“The contract acquired with the AMSA and the partnership signed with Geospatial Intelligence Pty Limited constitute a milestone in the activities of our group in the Australian space market,” stated Massimo Claudio Comparini, Head of Business Line Geo-Information of Telespazio and Chief Executive Officer of e-GEOS. “This confirms yet again the validity of the services offered by e-GEOS in the Earth observation sector.”

COSMO-SkyMed is the only dual-use radar Earth observation constellation currently in existence worldwide and is used for civilian and military purposes. Ten years after the launch of the first satellite, in 2007, the system has captured over one million images from all over the world, monitoring the Earth 24 hours a day under any weather and visibility conditions and ensuring crucial information essential for security, land monitoring, and the sustainable management of resources, as well as dealing with natural events and emergencies, and combating the effects of climate change.

Financed by ASI, the Italian Defence Ministry and the Italian Education, University and Research Ministry, COSMO-SkyMed was created by the Italian space industry together with Leonardo and its joint venture, Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio. Data from COSMO-SkyMed are marketed throughout the world by e-GEOS.