Eads Astrium Tandem-X Satellite

Eads Astrium Tandem-X Satellite EADS Astrium/Thomas Ernsting

Existing satellite-generated maps of the Earth’s surface are cobbled together from multiple, inconsistent sources, leaving gaps in coverage and omitting vast amounts of detail. The TanDEM-X satellite, by working with another satellite, is set to create the first consistent digital elevation map of Earth’s entire land surface—in 3-D. Built by the European aerospace contractor Astrium for the German space program, TanDEM-X reached orbit in June and joined the original TerraSAR-X satellite, which had been in space since 2007. An EADS subsidiary will begin licensing topographic maps in 2012.

astrium.eads.net