Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has delivered the first of fourteen full operational capability (FOC) payloads for Galileo, the European GNSS system, to prime contractor OHB System AG.
As payload prime, SSTL is tasked with the development, assembly, integration and test (AIT) of the navigation payloads at their technical facility in Guildford, Surrey. This first payload has been shipped to prime contractor OHB in Bremen, Germany, for mechanical integration of the payload to platform and commencement of satellite AIT. A team of SSTL engineers will travel to Bremen to assist with the integration of the payload.
SSTL’s payload solution will provide all of Galileo’s services, and is based on European-sourced atomic clocks, navigation signal generators, high power travelling wave tube amplifiers and antennas.
Dr Matt Perkins, SSTL CEO, commented “The delivery of our first Galileo payload is an important milestone towards achieving full satellite qualification at the end of the year, bringing together expertise, knowledge and innovation from almost a decade of SSTL involvement in Galileo. We are proud to lead the payload development for this landmark programme that will redefine what we expect from global navigation services”.
“The payload for the fifth satellite in the Galileo constellation is ready,” said Didier Faivre, ESA’s Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation-related Activities.
“While the next two satellites to be launched are currently undergoing testing, the next ones are being built. Another important step forward for the programme was made today.”
In addition to these first fourteen, the OHB-SSTL consortium was awarded the contract to build a further eight satellites for the Galileo system by the European Space Agency (ESA) in February this year.
Galileo is Europe’s own Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), providing real-time positioning, navigation and timing services with unrivalled accuracy and integrity. It will be interoperable with the American GPS system and Russia’s GLONASS system.
The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo programme is managed and fully funded by the European Union. The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission. The views expressed in this Press Release can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union and/or ESA. “Galileo” is a trademark subject to OHIM application number 002742237 by EU and ESA.
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world’s leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with over 400 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981 SSTL has built and launched 36 satellites – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with its innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.
Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by Astrium, an EADS company. www.sstl.co.uk
