EU space project to map earth part-made in the South East
April 5, 2014 7:20 PM
A satellite launched yesterday as part of an EU project to observe the Earth from space will rely on a radar system made in Portsmouth. The Sentinel spacecraft uses an electronics system, which will guide its radar, designed by Airbus' local Astrium plant.
The satellite is part of the EU Copernicus programme to observe changes in the Earth's environment, helping to monitor earthquakes, floods and fires.
Welcoming the project, Giles Goodall, a local Lib Dem MEP candidate for South East England, said:
"This exciting new project will help us to better understand how our planet and its climate are changing, how these changes will influence our daily lives, and crucially, to help us adapt.
"I'm proud that this new satellite has been partly designed in Portsmouth. Airbus is just one of the local employers which has called for us to stay in the EU, and local jobs depend on projects such as these.
"It's a timely reminder that being in the EU is good for jobs, the economy and our environment."
The Copernicus programme is a joint European project to observe and monitor the Earth and its climate. The first spacecraft was launched on 3 April 2014, using an electronics subsystem designed by Airbus in Portsmouth.
Airbus is one of the major employers in the region to have called for the UK to remain in the EU. Overall, an estimated 4.2 million UK jobs are linked to EU trade, according to a study by the CEBR last week.