Airbus EO (fleet) / eo constellation
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 8 factsPleiades-Neo is a four-satellite very high resolution Earth observation constellation operated by Airbus Defence and Space, designed as a follow-on to the Pleiades-HR satellites. The satellites carry an imager with 30 cm ground resolution and use a 700 km orbit with two orbital planes to allow intra-day revisit times. They use TesatSpacecom laser communication relay terminals to transfer data via the EDRS network, enabling near real time access to imagery.
constellations
faq
Who operates Airbus EO (fleet)?
Airbus EO (fleet) is operated by Airbus Defence and Space. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
When did Airbus EO (fleet) first launch?
Airbus EO (fleet) first launched on 2021-04-29. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
sats active (verified) counts objects currently tracked in CelesTrak's catalog for this constellation. It is a tracking count, not an operator claim about satellite health. Rows marked computed are the sum of the sub-constellations listed below; each sub-constellation page carries its own sourced figure.
orbit
events
- notable2026-09-01Axelspace partners with Airbus Defence and Space on GRUS imagery
- major2026-08-06EU Commission signs deal expanding IRIS2 constellation to 348 satellites
- notable2026-07-31Hisdesat contracts Airbus and Thales Alenia Space to build SpainSat NG III
- notable2026-07-02Airbus wins ESA contract to build Aeolus-2 wind-sensing satellite
- major2026-06-10ESA awards Thales Alenia Space €700 million contract for Sentinel-1 NG
- major2026-01-02Hisdesat loses SpainSat NG II secure comms satellite to debris strike
- notable2025-11-07OHB opposes Airbus-Leonardo-Thales space merger in EU antitrust review
- seismic2025-10-23Airbus, Leonardo and Thales agree to merge space units into single venture
timeline
- 20262026-01-27Airbus sets early 2028 launch for first Pleiades Neo Next satellite on Vega C (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20242024-04-29Airbus launches Pleiades Neo Next program to expand its EO constellation (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20222022-12-20Airbus loses Pleiades Neo 5 and 6 in Vega C failure, halting constellation completion (source, as of 2026-07-06)
- 20142014EADS renamed Airbus Group and merges space, defence and military units into Airbus Defence and Space (source, as of 2026-07-06)
sources
Includes data from Gunter's Space Page: doc_sdat/pleiades-neo.htm