DMCii Wins $176.2 Million Imagery Contract with Beijing’s 21AT
By Jeffrey Hill | June 30, 2011
[Satellite TODAY 06-30-11] U.K.-based satellite imagery provider DMC International Imaging (DMCii) signed a contract worth 110 million British pounds ($176.2 million) with Beijing-based company 21AT, to provide access to high-resolution satellite imagery for its customers during the Chinese premier’s U.K. visit, DMCii announced June 29.
21AT will lease capacity from three new satellites that are to be launched into a new Earth Observation constellation, DMC3, which will be owned and operated by DMCii.
“Traditionally, a satellite imagery provider would purchase and operate their own satellites, however in this case 21AT will lease from DMCii 100 percent of the imaging capacity of the three high-resolution satellites under a seven-year contract and Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) will design the satellite constellation to meet the Earth Observation requirements of 21AT,” DMCii said in a company statement.
The three satellites are scheduled launch in 2014. DMCii said it anticipates more satellites will be added to the constellation, as additional capacity is required for its international customer base.