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Satellite From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
ALTIUS (Atmospheric Limb Tracker for Investigation of the Upcoming Stratosphere) is a satellite mission proposed by the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and currently under development by the European Space Agency.[3][4][5] Its main objective is to monitor the distribution and evolution of stratospheric ozone in the Earth's atmosphere. The industrial consortium is led by QinetiQ Space, acting as mission prime.[6][4] The satellite design is based on the PROBA small satellite bus.[3] The payload, developed by OIP Sensor Systems, is an innovative UV, visible and NIR instrument.[7]
![]() ALTIUS BISA logo | |
Mission type | Earth Observation |
---|---|
Operator | European Space Agency |
Mission duration | >3 years (design lifetime) |
Spacecraft properties | |
Spacecraft | ALTIUS |
Bus | PROBA |
Manufacturer | QinetiQ Space |
Launch mass | 266 kilograms (586 lb)[1] |
Dry mass | 254 kilograms (560 lb)[1] |
Start of mission | |
Launch date | 2026[2] | (planned)
Rocket | Vega-C |
Launch site | Kourou ELV |
Contractor | Arianespace |
Orbital parameters | |
Reference system | Sun-synchronous orbit |
Regime | Low Earth |
Altitude | ≈668 km[1] |
Repeat interval | 3 days[1] |
Main payload | |
Name | ALTIUS instrument |
Type | Multi-channel tuneable spectral imager |
Wavelengths | UV: 250-355 nm (tuneable) VIS: 440-675 nm (tuneable) NIR 600-1020 nm (tuneable)[1] |
Resolution | 1 to 3 km (vertically)[1] |
![]() ALTIUS mission logo |
The mission is scheduled for launch in 2026 from the Guiana Space Centre.[2]
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