Following a ten-month evaluation, the SOVA-S Earth observation mission, led by OHB Czechspace, was selected by ESA as one of two missions to move on to the next phase of development.
SOVA-S is part of ESA’s expanding Scout program under the FutureEO initiative and complements the established Earth Explorer missions. A distinctive feature of the Scout missions is that they are based on small satellites and are consistently developed according to the New Space approach. This includes, among other things, the miniaturization of existing space technologies, short development times (launch within three years of project start), and a strong focus on cost-efficiency (budget under 35 million euros).
The objective of the SOVA-S mission is to conduct near-global, daily observations of atmospheric gravity waves in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere (~80–120 km). These waves play a crucial role in the dynamics of the high-altitude atmosphere. By improving the parameterization of these processes in climate and space weather models, the mission is expected to enhance forecasting capabilities for the middle and upper atmosphere.
The data collected will contribute to a better understanding of extreme weather phenomena and improve the positioning accuracy of GNSS systems, which is particularly important for aviation.
OHB Czechspace is leading the satellite’s development as the prime contractor. “The selection of SOVA-S for further development is a significant milestone for our team and for the Czech space sector,” explains Vít Pavelec, CEO of OHB Czechspace. “The mission addresses a fundamental scientific challenge—understanding atmospheric gravity waves and their impact on climate and space weather. As the prime contractor, we are proud to lead the development of what will be the largest satellite ever built in the Czech Republic. Equally important is the close German-Czech cooperation, particularly with the DLR and industrial partners. This partnership demonstrates Europe’s ability to pool excellence across national borders to realize ambitious space missions.”
