Canon is set to launch into space a miniature satellite that is based on Canon EOS 5D. The trial mission is expected to highly boost the company's revenues in the years to come.
The miniature satellite weighs only 65 kilograms (143 pounds), and measures 85 x 50 x 50 centimeters (2.8 x 1.6 x 1.6 feet). On board will be a telescope device using Canon's top notch imaging technology found in EOS 5D DSLR.
Traditionally, satellites are used in the fields of broadcasting, communications and weather. With the photos taken by the Canon EOS 5D-based miniature satellite, it will hopefully benefit different industries like agriculture, commerce, disaster prevention, market research and surveying. It could also help companies to locate the best possible ports and parking lots. It is expected to orbit the planet Earth 15 times a day with an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles).
The trial period will start in March 2017 and will run for the next two years. During this time, Canon will test and calibrate the images taken by the EOS 5D-based miniature satellite. By this time, the company might possibly be accepting clients who can benefit from data gathered like numbers of specific objects, buildings, farms and even vehicles.
By 2020, Canon hopes to reach annual sales of $482 million and $1 billion by 2030. The production cost of a miniature satellite with EOS 5D on board is estimated at only $12.6 million per unit which is considered by experts as a bargain considering the revenues it is expected to grow.
The Indian Space Research Organization will supply the rocket to send the Japanese miniature satellite with EOS 5D into space. As it is, it will launch from the southeast India area. Space Works Enterprises, which is based in Atlanta, predicts that not only Canon will launch a miniature satellite in the next seven years. Around 3,000 satellites weighing 50 kilograms or less will be launched starting this year.
