Airbus Defence and Space, one of world’s leading space companies, is selling its subsidiary Tokyo Spot Image KK (TSI) to Pasco Corporation. At the same time, Pasco is entering into a new distribution agreement with Airbus Defence and Space for a SPOT 6/7 direct receiving station (DRS) with associated data distribution rights.
This deal marks a significant milestone in the long-term collaboration between the two companies, which began in 2003 when Pasco acquired its first Pixel Factory. Later, several distribution contracts have been signed for the Japanese market. This began with TerraSAR-X Direct Access Station deployed in 2005, followed in 2011 by Pléiades DRS and Pixel Factory systems in 2012. Last year, Pasco purchased the Street Factory product, therefore becoming one of the main customers of Airbus Defence and Space.
Founded in 2002, Tokyo Spot Image KK is a 100% subsidiary of Airbus Defence and Space. During the past 12 years, TSI has been focussing on the development of the civilian market, with significant successes in the mapping, agriculture and forestry sectors, generating profit every single year. The sale of TSI to Pasco is a logical step toward a full cooperation between the two companies.
SPOT satellites
At the same time, and only a few days after the commercial launch of SPOT 7, Pasco selected to be equipped with a SPOT 6/7 DRS, and thus will take full advantage of the Airbus Defence and Space constellation of four optical and two radar satellites. By adding this SPOT 6/7 DRS to its existing Pléiades and TerraSAR-X DRS, Pasco will be able to serve its institutional and commercial clients in the long term, with the highest reactivity and product quality, leveraging the advantages of high and very high-resolution data in optical and radar domains.
Bernhard Brenner, head of the Geo-Intelligence Program Line at Airbus Defence and Space, said he is very pleased with this combined deal, allowing Pasco to distribute the most up-to-date portfolio of their satellite products. The company looks forward to the new opportunities this cooperation will bring within the Japanese market. This deal is a clear signal for the confidence Airbus D&S has in the continuous success of high-resolution data distribution. Pasco is a long standing partner with whom the Airbus D&S is glad to pursue a very close working relationship based on high mutual respect and common business interests.
Yuji Mesaki, president and CEO of Pasco says the company enters into a new era of the trusted partnership. He is confident to achieve productive sales in Japan by utilising the know-how of Pasco, Airbus Defence and Space and Tokyo Spot Image KK. He firmly believes that his company will be able to fulfill the fast-growing demand of geospatial information products for their customers.
More than 25 organisations around the world have already chosen to be part of Airbus Defence and Space’s Direct Receiving Station network and this number is continuing to grow.
The image shows a SPOT 5 satellite image of Mount Fuji, Japan. (Courtesy: Airbus Defence and Space)
Source: GIM International