Hungary has helped in the development of the Sentinel 2B satellite that was successfully launched from Kourou in French Guyana, March 7.
According to government sources, more than 70 pieces of equipment were designed and manufactured in Hungary for the Copernicus earth project.
The European Union entrusted the development of the satellite to the European Space Agency (ESA), of which Hungary has been a member since November 2015. Every country involved in the project was represented in the delegation sent to attend the launch.
The aerial photographs made by the satellite will provide more detailed images of land cover, water content of the soil and changes in surface water conditions, which could be extremely important both for mapping natural disasters and monitoring the effects of climate change.
The Copernicus earth observation program is the European Union’s most important space infrastructure program, which contributes to improving people’s quality of life while employing state-of-the-art technologies in a cost effective manner.
Hungarian space industry enterprises headed by Miskolc-based Admatis Ltd. also took part in the development of the newly launched latest member of the Sentinel family of satellites, the Sentinel 2B. Doubling the performance of its twin, the Sentinel 2A, which was launched in 2015, the two satellites will now be able to take 10 images-a-day of the whole territory of Europe.
The Sentinel 2B contains over 70 pieces of equipment, primarily radiators, optical baffles, calibration baffles and attaching elements, which in the most part were designed, tested and manufactured by Hungarian enterprises. The previous member of the satellite family, the Sentinel 2A, was also built using a similar level of Hungarian participation, and Hungarian parts are already in production for the upcoming members of the space industry (the Sentinel 2C and 2D).
According to MTI, by joining the ESA, Hungary became involved in the work of the Europe’s largest space organization. Full membership places the already very successful Hungarian space industry on new foundations and enables Hungarian small and medium-sized enterprises and research institutes to become involved in international programs as suppliers. This development increases employment and helps to keep highly trained professionals in Hungary.