Airbus CO3D Satellite.
Arianespace Vega-C rocket Launches Airbus CO3D Constellation to Map Earth in 3D: Toulouse, France — July 26, 2025 — The Airbus-built CO3D constellation of four satellites has successfully been launched into orbit, marking the beginning of a mission to generate a highly detailed 3D map of the Earth’s surface. The launch took place aboard an Arianespace Vega-C rocket from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. This effort, developed in partnership with the French Space Agency (CNES), is poised to offer unparalleled insights into global terrain, providing both government and commercial clients with advanced Earth observation data.
The CO3D satellites will provide high-resolution imagery to create a Digital Surface Model (DSM), offering 50 cm stereo imagery to CNES. Additionally, 2D imagery will be made available to other users, further bolstering Airbus’s expanding portfolio of optical and radar satellite solutions. This project is also seen as a significant step forward in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities.
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Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, commented on the successful launch: “The CO3D constellation is a milestone for European space innovation. Together with our strong partner CNES, these satellites, based on our next-generation S250 platform, will produce a cutting-edge 3D map of our planet. Their high revisit rates and superior resolution are set to transform how we observe and analyze the Earth, with growing importance in today’s global context.”
The CO3D satellites, each weighing 285 kg, are now positioned in a Sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 502 km. Over the next six months, the satellites will undergo in-orbit testing before initiating an 18-month mission to generate a 3D map of France and the “crisis arc” region. This data will feed into a cloud-based ground segment managed by Airbus, which will generate the final 3D model, supporting applications in military, civil security, urban planning, hydrology, and geology.
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A notable feature of the CO3D satellites is their innovative observation mode, called “Step and Stare.” The satellites employ a matrix detector to capture images (“Stare”) and then rapidly reposition to cover a larger area (“Step”). This process allows for the collection of high-resolution images over swaths of 7, 14, 21, or even 28 km, enhancing the overall efficiency and agility of the satellite network.
In addition to CO3D, the launch also deployed the MicroCarb satellite, a collaborative mission between CNES and the UK Space Agency. MicroCarb, equipped with a high-precision Airbus-made spectrometer, is tasked with monitoring atmospheric carbon levels on a global scale, providing crucial data for climate research.
The CO3D programme leverages manufacturing expertise gained from the development of the OneWeb satellite constellation, utilizing a modernized, digitalized assembly line in Toulouse. Drawing on techniques from the automotive and aeronautical industries, Airbus has incorporated off-the-shelf commercial components adapted for space use, ensuring both high performance and space-ready quality.
The successful deployment of the CO3D satellites further reinforces Airbus’s position as a key player in the expanding field of Earth observation, with significant implications for a variety of sectors requiring high-resolution, real-time data about the planet’s surface.