# Pleiades

> satellite constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q1631757](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1631757)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pléiades_(satellite))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/pleiades

## Summary
Pleiades is a satellite constellation operated by the French space agency CNES for high-resolution Earth observation purposes. Launched in 2010, it provides detailed imagery of Earth's surface as part of the ORFEO Programme.

## Key Facts
- Pleiades is a satellite constellation specifically designed for Earth observation
- It is operated by CNES (French space agency), established in 1961 and headquartered in Paris
- The constellation was launched in 2010 from the Guiana Space Centre using Soyuz rockets
- It has a mass of 1015 kilograms and orbits at an altitude of 698 kilometers
- Pleiades has an orbital period of 98.7 minutes around Earth
- It is part of the ORFEO Programme for Earth observation capabilities
- The constellation was succeeded by the Pleiades Neo system
- Multiple satellites make up the Pleiades constellation for comprehensive coverage

## FAQs
### Q: Who operates the Pleiades satellite constellation?
A: Pleiades is operated by CNES, the French national space agency headquartered in Paris, France, which was established in 1961.

### Q: What is the primary purpose of Pleiades?
A: Pleiades is designed for Earth observation, providing high-resolution imagery for various applications including environmental monitoring, urban planning, and security.

### Q: When was Pleiades launched and what rocket was used?
A: Pleiades was launched in 2010 from the Guiana Space Centre using Soyuz rockets as the launch vehicle.

## Why It Matters
Pleiades represents France's advanced capabilities in Earth observation satellite technology, providing high-resolution imagery essential for scientific research, environmental monitoring, urban planning, and defense applications. As part of the ORFEO Programme, it enhances Europe's independent Earth observation capabilities, reducing reliance on non-European providers. The constellation's high-resolution data enables more detailed analysis of Earth's surface, supporting critical decision-making processes across multiple sectors. Its technological foundation also paved the way for more advanced systems like Pleiades Neo, demonstrating the continuous evolution of satellite-based Earth observation capabilities.

## Notable For
- High-resolution Earth imaging capability as part of France's space program
- Operated by CNES, one of Europe's leading space agencies established in 1961
- Utilizes Soyuz rockets for launch, continuing a partnership with Russian space technology
- Part of the European ORFEO Programme for enhanced Earth observation capabilities
- Served as the technological foundation for the newer Pleiades Neo constellation

## Body

### Overview
Pleiades is a satellite constellation that forms a critical component of France's Earth observation capabilities. The system is designed to capture detailed imagery of Earth's surface from orbit, supporting various applications from environmental monitoring to urban planning.

### Technical Specifications
- Mass: 1015 kilograms
- Orbital altitude: 698 kilometers above sea level
- Orbital period: 98.7 minutes
- Launch vehicle: Soyuz rockets
- Launch date: 2010
- Launch site: Guiana Space Centre
- Part of: ORFEO Programme

### Operational Details
- Operator: CNES (French space agency)
- Headquarters: Paris, France
- Programme: ORFEO Programme
- Successor: Pleiades Neo constellation
- Aliases: PHR, Satelites Pleiades, Satelites Pléiades, Pléiades Haute Résolution, Pleiades 1B
- Website: http://smsc.cnes.fr/PLEIADES/

### International Context
- Related to artificial satellites orbiting Earth
- Connected to Soyuz spacecraft technology
- Maintains connections through the European ORFEO Programme
- Continues the tradition of French space exploration dating back to CNES's founding in 1961

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  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Pleiades",
  "description": "Earth observation satellite constellation operated by CNES",
  "url": "http://smsc.cnes.fr/PLEIADES/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q199913",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pléiades_(satellite)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "spacecraft constellation",
  "operatingSystem": "Earth observation",
  "manufacturer": "CNES",
  "countryOfOrigin": "France",
  "launchDate": "2010",
  "mass": {
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    "value": "1015",
    "unitCode": "KGM"
  },
  "orbitOf": "Earth",
  "orbitalPeriod": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "98.7",
    "unitCode": "MIN"
  },
  "altitude": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "value": "698",
    "unitCode": "KMT"
  }
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013