The PRISMA Program

In the framework of its activities in the field of Earth Observation, the Italian Space Agency (ASI) in 2007 have started the design, development and deployment of the PRISMA mission. PRISMA (PRecursore IperSpettrale della Missione Operativa) is the follow-on of previous programmes, either national (HypSeo, phase A/B) or international (JHM phase A, in cooperation with Canada) devoted to establish requirements, technologies and conceptual design of a satellite remote sensing hyperspectral mission. The program is completely funded by ASI until the completion of system on-orbit commissioning. The selected industrial consortium includes all the key national industries, which have already acquired specific know-how and expertise. The mission will provide worldwide access, with a specific area of interest covering the whole European and Mediterranean region. Hyperspectral data will help to efficiently address the selected applications, such as those related to quality and protection of the environment, sustainable development, climate change, strong economy; according to its "public good" nature, PRISMA will focus on the needs of the Italian institutional and research entities.