Russia's Khrunichev state research and production space centre plans to introduce a series of 1m-resolution commercial remote sensing satellites, called Monitor, that will be accessed directly by small VSAT (very small aperture terminal) personal ground stations.
The 675-855kg (1,490-1,880lb) Rokot-launched spacecraft will operate in 480km (300mile), sun-synchronous polar orbits.
Monitors will be based on Khrunichev's Yakhta spacecraft bus, previously used for two InterSputnik 100M geostationary-orbiting communications satellites.
Reception will be possible with dishes as small as 0.65m (2ft) in diameter. Meanwhile, Russia says it will launch the first indeginous earthquake forecasting satellite in November or December. The 80kg sub-satellite will be deployed during the launch of a major payload aboard a Zenit booster from Baikonur.
Source: Flight International
