EARTH OBSERVATION
OTTER
A clearer picture.
Of our oceans.
A radio receiver and a camera. One small satellite, bringing two ways of observing maritime activity together.
- Customer
- German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- Spacecraft
- 3U small satellite
- GOS contribution
- Build, test, operate and hand over
The challenge
A vessel’s radio signal tells one part of the story. Optical imagery adds another. DLR’s OTTER mission explores how a small satellite can collect both, helping researchers compare observations of activity at sea.
Our contribution
GOS built and tested the spacecraft around the mission equipment, operated it, then handed it over to DLR for its own operations. The work connected the instrument, spacecraft and operating team in one mission.
What it makes possible
Signals from cooperative vessels and optical images can be compared on the ground and combined with other sensor data. The mission also gives DLR a practical setting to study more responsive space operations.
DELIVERY & HANDOVER
Built. Tested. Handed over.
DLR took over the satellite’s operations after the GOS-led build, test and initial operating phase.