NASHUA, N.H. – BAE Systems has begun partnering with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to bring the U.K. technology firm’s small-satellite technology and processes to the U.S. market. Under a memorandum of agreement, BAE Systems’ Space Systems and Electronics unit and SSTL will offer customers – particularly NASA and the Department of Defense – a broad range of small-satellite capabilities, affordably and at low risk.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. designs, manufactures, and operates high-performance, low-cost small satellites. The satellites can be developed rapidly to meet civil and military Earth observation, communications, navigation, and space science applications. Over the past 25 years, SSTL has launched 26 small satellites into low and high Earth orbit for international customers. SSTL pioneered the use of commercial, off-the-shelf technologies in space.
BAE Systems develops and produces a wide array of space electronics and integrated solutions, from single-board, radiation-hardened computers to complete instrument payloads.
“The partnership combines SSTL’s small-satellite experience with BAE Systems’ advanced space electronics and ground systems capabilities,” said Leigh Coolidge, director of the BAE Systems Small Satellite Initiative. “Together, we will provide U.S. government customers with an end-to-end solution – from concept of operations to on-orbit mission operations to information management.” The BAE Systems-SSTL partnership provides focused capability at lower cost and with shorter time to launch compared to typical satellite programs. The partnership plans to make satellite ownership affordable for U.S. agencies that historically have found the cost prohibitive, while also offering a lower-cost alternative to the established U.S. domestic space authorities.
“U.S. customers will be able to achieve more satellite missions within a fixed space budget, allowing each end user to own its own satellite and thus achieve priority access to data,” said Phil Davies, SSTL senior account manager. “Constellations of small satellites will become financially possible due to the lower unit cost, bringing real benefits of higher temporal resolution and persistent monitoring – a new area of space applications.”
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defense and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems’ sales exceeded $28 billion in 2005.
