The Italian Space Agency (ASI) (www.asi.it/en) says it is getting ever closer to the launch of its PRISMA (Hyperspectral Precursor and Application Mission) satellite, which is scheduled for lift-off from the European spaceport of Kourou in French Guiana — aboard a VEGA rocket — on 9 March.

From its orbit at an altitude of about 620km, PRISMA will observe the Earth via a powerful hyperspectral instrument
in wavelengths including visible light, the near infra-red and the infra-red shortwave.

It was developed by a temporary joint venture of companies led by OHB Italy, which has been responsible for the mission and management of the three main segments (land, flight and launch).

Leonardo built the electro-optical instrumentation.

The PRISMA satelite is intended to make an “unprecedented contribution to the observation of natural resources from space”.

It will be used to study: interactions between the atmosphere, the biosphere and the hydrosphere; environmental and climate changes; and the aftermath of anthropic activities on ecosystems.