Leonardo Funds Earth Observation Constellation Development to Showcase Capabilities and Model European Initiatives

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Leonardo Invests Heavily in Earth Observation Future with Innovative Satellite Constellation

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Italian aerospace giant Leonardo is making a significant strategic investment in the future of Earth observation by funding the development of a proprietary satellite constellation. Valued at approximately 500 million euros ($590 million), this ambitious project is designed not only to showcase Leonardo's cutting-edge capabilities in the space sector but also to serve as a potential model for larger-scale European initiatives in Earth observation and resilience.

Marco Brancati, a senior vice president in Leonardo’s space division, unveiled details about the “Leonardo EO Constellation” during the recent SmallSat Symposium. The planned constellation will consist of roughly 20 satellites equipped with sophisticated payloads, including high-resolution optical imagers and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instruments. Development commenced in July of the previous year, with a preliminary design review successfully completed earlier this month. A critical design review is slated for June, and initial launches are projected for 2027 and 2028, marking a swift development timeline.

The constellation is engineered to fulfill two primary objectives. "The idea is, on one side, to provide the downstream component of the company with proprietary Earth observation data," Brancati explained, referring to the geospatial intelligence services offered by e-GEOS, a company in which Leonardo holds a partial stake. This ensures Leonardo has direct access to valuable data for its service offerings.

"On the other side," he continued, "the goal is to show customers in the market that Leonardo is now really able to deploy an end-to-end system, both ground and space segments." This objective was a key driver behind Leonardo's decision to establish a dedicated space division in early 2025. Brancati emphasized this strategic move: "The best way to show that is to build it for yourself." This self-funded approach allows Leonardo to demonstrate its comprehensive system integration and operational capabilities.

Leonardo has selected Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Leonardo and Thales, to manufacture the satellites. These will be produced at Thales Alenia Space's new "Space Smart Factory" in Rome, a facility designed for high-volume production, capable of manufacturing up to 100 satellites annually. This partnership leverages existing expertise and manufacturing capacity to expedite the constellation's deployment.

The initial configuration of the constellation includes one plane of nine satellites. Six of these will be equipped with SAR payloads, two with high-resolution optical imagers, and one dedicated communications satellite. The spacecraft will feature optical inter-satellite links for high-speed data transfer between satellites. The communications satellite will also be equipped with additional terminals to facilitate optical communications with other spacecraft or ground stations, enhancing network connectivity and data relay capabilities.

The configuration for a second plane is still under finalization. One proposed option involves seven dedicated high-resolution optical imaging satellites and two satellites that combine both optical imaging and communications payloads. This flexibility allows Leonardo to adapt the constellation's capabilities to evolving market demands and specific mission requirements.

Brancati highlighted the importance of interoperability and potential partnerships, noting that Leonardo is open to incorporating satellites from other entities into the system. "The concept of federation is very important," he stated. "We have the possibility to federate constellations from additional partners." This federated approach could lead to a more robust and comprehensive global observation network.

The Leonardo satellites will utilize the modular NIMBUS bus, developed by Thales Alenia Space. While the radar, optical, and communications satellites will share common structural and bus components, they will be fitted with different payload modules tailored to their specific mission objectives. This modular design streamlines development, testing, and integration processes.

While Brancati described the system as a "preparatory constellation," he did not disclose specific plans for expansion beyond the two planes discussed. However, he suggested its potential as a model or precursor for future European imaging satellite systems. These could include constellations funded by the European Space Agency's (ESA) European Resilience from Space (ERS) program or the European Commission's upcoming Earth Observation Government Service (EOGS) initiative. "We’re looking at the potential synergies with European programs like, for instance, ERS and EOGS," he remarked.

ESA member states committed over 1.3 billion euros to the ERS program at a ministerial conference last November, with ESA extending subscription opportunities until late 2026. Although ESA has provided limited details on ERS requirements, the program signifies a growing European commitment to space-based Earth observation and resilience. Leonardo's constellation could play a pivotal role in fulfilling these future European objectives.

Ekhbary News Agency