IKONOS collection capability with the direct tasking from a regional operation center

The IKONOS satellite has a global operations network and each regional operation center can directly send the tasking packages to the satellite and collects and receive the images in real time mode over 320 Mbit/sec link. Space Imaging Eurasia is one of these operational centers among this network and its collection efficiency is the best within this network. Each operation center has the ability to autonomously task the satellite within their communication cone. The location of the communication cone is dependent upon the placement of Radio Frequency Terminal and the communication cone size is dependent upon antenna elevation angle. The minimum value for this antenna elevation angle is 5 degrees and once the antenna is settled to this extend and rotated around 360 degrees, the communication cone of a regional operation center having 4600 km diameter can be reached. Each regional operation center has local collection planning and sensor tasking, direct downlink of image data from the IKONOS satellite, local image catalog and archive and local product generation and distribution rights. In this paper I will present how Space Imaging Eurasia can access more area and more clear area in its communication cone. Results show the weather data usage and collection efficiency improvements in one particular satellite pass.