BKA 1, 2 (BelKa 2)

BKA (BelKa 2) [NPO VNIIEM]

BKA (formerly known as BelKa 2) is a Belarusian remote sensing satellite that replaces the BelKa 1 satellite lost in an launch failure.

The BKA satellite is a virtual copy of the Russian Kanopus-V 1. The resolution up to 2.1 m and four spectral channels of the target-oriented equipment allow for national economic tasks to the benefit of MINECONOMRESURS, Ministry of Natural Resources, Federal Geodesy and Cartography Service, EMERCOM, etc. In addition to key tasks the spacecraft will enable scientific and applied researches in the Earth and atmosphere remote sensing.

The satellite was built by NPO VNII Elektromekhaniki, who subcontracted the avionics suite to SSTL.

The tasks to be fulfilled by BKA are:

• Mapping (topographic and geodesic applications, government geodesic supervision);
• Cadastral account of estate property;
• Development of large building projects including gas and oil pipelines, railways, hydropower stations;
• Geological investigations and conservation of mineral resources;
• Environment monitoring including monitoring of forest fires and man-made emissions, glaciers and agricultural sector objects, etc.;
• Monitoring of forest condition;
• Monitoring of water bodies.

A similar second satellite, BKA 2, is planned for 2023 to replace BKA 1. It might be of a different design.