Spy technology becomes scarier
re-post from Guardian | 26.07.2002 11:32
A revolutionary low cost mini-satellite has been developed by British scientists to provide real time images for the army, humanitarian agencies, and private companies.
The TopSat, which cost £12m to build and launch, has been developed by QinetiQ, formerly the Ministry of Defence research agency. It has been funded jointly by the MoD and the British National Space Centre.
The satellite, due to be launched in 2004, has a resolution of 2.5 metres. Its data can be sent immediately to mobile ground stations. A QinetiQ spokesman said yesterday that the satellite could be used to monitor the flow of refugees, for example, or the flow of lava from a volcano.
Operators will able to direct the satellite to any site within a 600km radius of their mobile ground stations.
Richard Norton-Tatlor
The TopSat, which cost £12m to build and launch, has been developed by QinetiQ, formerly the Ministry of Defence research agency. It has been funded jointly by the MoD and the British National Space Centre.
The satellite, due to be launched in 2004, has a resolution of 2.5 metres. Its data can be sent immediately to mobile ground stations. A QinetiQ spokesman said yesterday that the satellite could be used to monitor the flow of refugees, for example, or the flow of lava from a volcano.
Operators will able to direct the satellite to any site within a 600km radius of their mobile ground stations.
Richard Norton-Tatlor
re-post from Guardian