Airbus' space technologies have a growing impact on people's daily life: from deep-space exploration and scientific missions, to today's most reliable secure telecommunications and Earth observation (EO) satellites.

The Airbus Constellation of satellites provides users with unique access to multi-source, multi-resolution optical and radar sensors. With access to Pléiades Neo, Pléiades, SPOT and Vision-1 optical satellites, as well as the Radar Constellation (consisting of TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, PAZ and NovaSAR-1), their portfolio of satellites spans the entire geo-information value chain and is unrivalled in the marketplace.

Kimberley Phillips, the Satellite Operations Products & Services Technical Lead, assesses all the Third Party Mission (TPM) projects and then coordinates with end users to ensure she can deliver solutions based on their requirements. Here’s a closer look at what she does:

Born in Hampshire in the UK, Kimberley holds a Master’s degree in Applied Geographic Information Systems (GIS). She started her career over 14 years ago with the Disaster Monitoring Constellation for International Imaging (DMCii). Kimberley has since supported the development and integration of new Satellites and their Ground Segment Operations. She has also managed multiple international Remote Sensing projects including those for ESA’s TPM programme.

ESA: What is your role in Airbus?

Kimberley: As the Operations Team technical lead, I am responsible for our Satellite Products and Services for Remote Sensing projects, which is achieved through an end-to-end service. Part of my role is to task the satellite imagery coordinated with our customers and to manage the end-to-end production of products through the Payload Data Ground Segment (PDGS) to ensure that any products meet the highest quality standards before delivery to our customers.

ESA: How does Airbus support ESA’s Third Party Mission programme?

Kimberley: Providing access to our products and services via ESA‘s TPM Programme enables us to support the public in their development of Remote Sensing applications whilst contributing to the future of Earth Observation. The image below was provided to a TPM project for simplifying the creation of Digital Surface Modelling (DSM) using new Machine Learning Methods. These are the technological advances that everyone in the EO industry can benefit from.

ESA: What benefits does the TPM programme provide to Airbus?

Kimberley: I find it exciting that there is a wide variety of applications, ranging from AI development using optical data, to biomass estimation utilising SAR data.

We supported a project that developed Remote Sensing Tools for monitoring Invasive Plant Species in Coastal Ecosystems. I wrote a similar dissertation exploring detection methods for Invasive Plants in local waterways, so I truly understand the impact that an invasive plant species can have on the environment.

ESA: How did your studies shape your career and any last thoughts on your overall experience?

Kimberley: My studies have not only provided me with knowledge but have also helped me develop skills that I use daily. As my career progresses, so does my confidence. I am continually developing as a person, learning new skills and expanding my knowledge, but it is experience that truly drives me forward.

I believe that what we do makes a real difference to our changing planet. Having the opportunity to see new and exciting projects emerge and being able to support those studies is incredibly rewarding. I look forward to the future of Earth Observation and seeing where dynamic applications will lead us.