Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) today announced the successful launch of exactView-1 at UTC 06:41:39 into a sun synchronous polar orbit of 800km by a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The 100kg exactView-1 is expected to be the highest detection performance commercial Automatic Identification System (AIS) satellite ever built and the fifth deployed satellite in exactEarth’s advanced vessel monitoring satellite constellation which will provide near real-time AIS data on the locations, speeds and routes of vessels throughout the world’s oceans.
Designed and assembled at SSTL in Guildford, the spacecraft is based on the SSTL-100 platform and has been adapted for the exactEarth mission with an additional deployable solar panel providing extra power for the COM DEV AIS receiver payload. SSTL acted as launch agent in collaboration with Commercial Space technologies (CST) in Russia and exactView-1 is the 37th SSTL satellite successfully launched, of which 23 were arranged by SSTL on behalf of its customers.
Following the successful launch, SSTL is beginning the commissioning of critical communications, control and power subsystems from its groundstation at Guildford, UK.
For launch updates visit www.sstl.co.uk/launches/exactview-1
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 37 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
About COM DEV COM DEV International Ltd. (www.comdevintl.com) is a leading global provider of space hardware and services. With facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, COM DEV manufactures advanced subsystems and microsatellites that are sold to major satellite prime contractors, government agencies and satellite operators, for use in communications, space science, remote sensing and defense applications. COM DEV’s majority-owned subsidiary, exactEarth Ltd., provides satellite data services.
About exactEarth Ltd exactEarth, based in Cambridge, Ontario, is a data services company providing the most advanced information on global maritime traffic available today. Our premium service, exactAIS(R), delivers an unrivalled view of the recognized maritime picture at a global scale. Offering fully secure data in a variety of industry standard formats and delivery methods, exactEarth’s data provides real value for a wide range of operational maritime applications delivering operational efficiencies, enhancing security, safeguarding the environment, and assisting in saving lives. exactEarth is jointly owned by COM DEV International Ltd (TSX: CDV) and HISDESAT Servicios Estrategicos S.A. For more information, visit our website at www.exactearth.com
Notes to editor: This press release can be downloaded as a Word or Pdf document at the following url: http://www.sstl.co.uk/news-and-events
A photograph of the Soyuz launch is available upon request from Robin Wolstenholme. Photo credit: DLR – T.Kranz
SSTL Contact: Joelle Sykes, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited Tel: +44 (0)1483 804243 Email: j.sykes@sstl.co.uk
Press Contact: Robin Wolstenholme, bcm public relations Tel: +44 (0)1306 882288 Email: r.wolstenholme@bcmpublicrelations.com
