ABB has been selected by OHB System AG to provide thermal infrared imaging instruments for two European Space Agency (ESA) Harmony satellites.
ESA call this a “unique satellite mission concept” and is part of their Earth Explorer mission. The Harmony mission consists of two satellites, each outfitted with a receive-only (passive) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), and multiview thermal-infrared instrument.
The two identical satellites will work with and be in convoy with a Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellite. ESA said, “Together with observations from Sentinel-1, Harmony will deliver a wide range of unique high-resolution observations of motion occurring at or near Earth’s surface.”
The contract, with no dollar value mentioned, is a significant one for ABB as it will be providing one of the key instruments for the Harmony mission.
ABB said in a news that release that each multispectral thermal infrared (TRI) payloads instruments are “capable of measuring a wide range of environmental parameters, including sea surface temperature and the position of clouds and their motion.”
ABB added that the “multiview TIR instrument will enable ESA to measure cloud position and motion from space, ensuring radiometric precision – the accuracy of the temperature measurement obtained by the infrared instruments compared to that of the true surface temperature (whether cloud or sea). The data collected by the mission will help the advancement of climate science as well as support the understanding and forecasting of extreme weather such as hurricanes. In addition, over land, Harmony will provide information to estimate small shifts in the shape of the land surface, such as those leading to and resulting from earthquakes and volcanic activity, thereby contributing to the assessment of geohazards over geologically active areas.”
Agustina Alvarez Toledo, Harmony Project Manager at OHB System AG said, “We selected ABB on this high-profile mission because of their proven expertise in infrared sensor technologies. We have been collaborating on several space programs and know that they are very capable. We look forward to working together again to support the scientific community for the benefit of this generation and the ones to follow.”
Jacques Mulbert, President of ABB Measurement & Analytics added, “ABB’s purpose is to enable a more sustainable and resource efficient future and so we are proud to be a part of this scientific program that will contribute to humanity’s understanding of climate change. With this work, we are showcasing our ability to provide accurate cloud positioning and sea surface measurement from space, contributing to a deeper scientific understanding of our planet in order to preserve its future.”
