Earth observation has come a long way since the early satellite images of the 1960s. But until recently, global 3D mapping remained a challenge: datasets were often fragmented, resolutions varied, and updates could take months or even years. For those tasked with planning cities, managing natural disasters, or understanding climate change, this lag represented a critical gap.
Enter CO3D — short for Constellation Optique 3D. This French-led mission, born from a collaboration between CNES (the French Space Agency) and Airbus Defence and Space, is designed to provide frequently updated, high-resolution 3D models of our planet. From sprawling urban areas to remote mountain ranges, CO3D promises to deliver a new level of detail, helping decision-makers across industries act faster and with greater confidence.
Did you know?
CO3D stands for Constellation Optique 3D — literally “3D Optical Constellation.” It’s designed not only for imaging but for creating stereoscopic data, allowing the production of accurate, high-fidelity 3D terrain models.
CO3D is the fruit of two pillars of French space innovation:
CNES: Providing mission oversight, partial funding, and decades of experience in Earth observation.
Airbus Defence and Space: Handling the design, manufacturing, and integration of the satellites at its Toulouse facilities, known as a hub for cutting-edge aerospace projects.
This public-private collaboration highlights France’s ability to bring together institutional knowledge and industrial capacity to deliver strategic Earth observation capabilities.
Did you know?
Toulouse is home to one of Europe’s largest space industry clusters, with over 400 companies and research centers contributing to missions like CO3D.
Despite their modest size, each CO3D satellite packs a lot of power:
Mass & Platform: At ~285 kg, the satellites are designed for agility and longevity in low Earth orbit.
Optical Payload: Equipped with stereoscopic sensors, CO3D captures imagery with 50 cm horizontal resolution and 1 m vertical accuracy, enabling the creation of detailed Digital Surface Models (DSMs).
Orbit & Coverage: Operating in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at about 500 km, the constellation provides near-global coverage with frequent revisits — crucial for applications that require up-to-date data.Data Processing Pipeline: CO3D’s ground segment is designed for speed and efficiency. Once raw images are downlinked, they are processed rapidly using advanced photogrammetry pipelines to generate 3D terrain models. This minimizes latency between data capture and delivery — with actionable 3D models produced in just a few days, instead of the weeks or months typical of legacy systems.
Together, these design choices make CO3D one of the most agile and capable small-satellite constellations in operation, capable of serving the dual needs of precision and speed in geospatial intelligence.
Did you know? CO3D’s stereoscopic imaging approach is similar to how our two eyes perceive depth. By capturing images from slightly different angles, the satellites can “see” in 3D, enabling highly accurate elevation mapping.
The Launch: Vega-C Flight VV27
On July 9, 2025, CO3D lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard Arianespace’s Vega-C rocket (flight VV27). This mission wasn’t just about deploying CO3D: it also carried MicroCarb, a French satellite dedicated to measuring atmospheric CO₂.
Chronology of the Launch: After an on-time liftoff, Vega-C’s stages performed a series of precise burns, culminating in the sequential separation of the four CO3D satellites into their 500 km sun-synchronous orbit.
Commissioning Phase: Over the following weeks, engineers at Airbus and CNES tested and calibrated all subsystems — propulsion, power, optics, and communications — ensuring that the constellation was fully operational.
European Synergy: Using Vega-C reinforced Europe’s vision of strategic autonomy in space access, combining a European-built launcher with European-made payloads.
Did you know?
Vega-C, developed by the Italian Space Agency with ESA, is optimized for small to medium payloads, making it the ideal choice for constellations like CO3D.
Anywaves: Ensuring Seamless Communication in Space
Behind every successful satellite mission is robust communication — and we, at Anywaves, are proud to have played a key role in CO3D’s operations.
Core Role: These antennas are the spacecraft’s lifeline, enabling continuous communication with ground stations for control and health monitoring.
Engineering Advantages:Compact, lightweight, and highly resilient, they withstand the intense thermal cycling and vibrations of low Earth orbit.
Operational Impact: By ensuring stable and secure links, Anywaves antennas help Airbus operators maintain full control of the constellation and guarantee the integrity of the collected data.
Did you know?
Anywaves is a spin-off of CNES, founded in 2017, and has rapidly become a trusted supplier for major players like Airbus, ESA, and Thales.
Real-World Applications: Turning Data into Decisions
CO3D’s 3D datasets are more than just visually impressive — they are tools for actionable intelligence:
Urban Planning: Cities can model future developments, optimize transportation networks, and assess infrastructure risks with unprecedented accuracy.
Agriculture: 3D terrain data allows for precision irrigation planning, soil management, and monitoring of land-use changes.
Disaster Response: Emergency teams can quickly map flood zones, earthquake impacts, or landslides, improving rescue and recovery efforts.
Defense & Security: Accurate 3D models enhance situational awareness and operational planning in complex terrains.
Environmental Monitoring: From tracking glacial retreat to coastal erosion, CO3D provides key insights for climate change mitigation strategies.
Did you know?
Unlike traditional mapping, CO3D’s 3D models include elevation data, making them especially valuable for risk assessments in areas prone to flooding or landslides.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for Earth Observation
CO3D is not just a mission; it’s a testbed for the future. Its innovative combination of stereoscopic imaging, rapid ground processing, and scalable satellite design sets the stage for:
Next-generation constellations with larger fleets for near-continuous coverage.
Integration with AI-based processing, enabling near-real-time extraction of actionable insights.
Enhanced communications systems, where companies like Anywaves explore multi-band antennas to support higher data rates and more complex mission profiles.
Conclusion: A Leap Forward for Planetary Intelligence
CO3D represents a paradigm shift in Earth observation. By combining cutting-edge optics, agile small-satellite engineering, and robust communications from Anywaves, this constellation delivers more than images — it provides a living, evolving 3D model of our planet.
With CNES guiding the mission and Airbus delivering industrial excellence, CO3D is a landmark achievement for European space. It promises to empower governments, scientists, and businesses with the knowledge they need to build a safer, more sustainable future — in three dimensions.
If you have any question, we would be happy to help you out.
Close
Search through our content
Manage Cookie Consent
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
