Boeing Electron
Dynamic Devices (EDD), the leading manufacturer of power and
propulsion components for space applications, has received its first
contract for linearized traveling wave tube amplifiers (LTWTAs).
Orbital Sciences Corporation recently placed an order
for 32 C-Band LTWTAs in a contract initially worth $5 million, with a
total value of up to $16 million. EDD is a business of The Boeing
Company.
“We have successfully executed on our plan to offer LTWTAs to our
customers,” said Charles Toups, general manager of EDD. “By being able
to procure, integrate and test all of the components in the microwave
high power amplifier chain, we are able to provide our customers the
convenience of a single source for the LTWTA while delivering a more
robust space-qualified product.”
The LTWTAs will be used on a C-band commercial geosynchronous
satellite being built by Orbital for PanAmSat Corporation. Should
PanAmSat exercise additional satellite options with Orbital, EDD will
produce LTWTAs for two additional flight sets.
Communication satellites use traveling wave tube (TWT) amplifiers
as the final amplifier to transmit very low level radio frequency
signals back to Earth for a variety of applications including voice,
TV and data. On satellites that carry a large number of signals, a
linearizer is added to the TWT to cancel the amplifier distortion.
This results in clearer communications that benefit the customers of
the satellite operator. The final assembly is referred to as an LWTA.
A typical TWTA assembly consists of a traveling wave tube and its
associated Electronic Power Conditioner (EPC). Each LTWTA for Orbital
will include a 37-watt Model 8560Hx C-band TWT, a Model 2000Hx
electronic power conditioner (EPC), and a linearizer from Narda
Microwave West in Folsom, Calif. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in
December 2001 and be completed next February.
Orbital develops, manufactures and operates highly reliable and
affordable space systems, including low-Earth orbit and geosynchronous
orbit satellites, space launch vehicles and missile defense target
launch vehicles. Orbital is also involved with satellite-based
networks that provide wireless data communications, high-resolution
Earth imagery and transportation management systems to customers all
around the world. Orbital is based in Dulles, Va. and employs about
2,200 people. More information about Orbital can be found at:
http://www.orbital.com.
Boeing Electron Dynamic Devices is a world leader in the design
and manufacture of microwave, traveling wave-tube amplifiers, and ion
thrusters for commercial and military applications as well as world
class bus and payload electronics.
The Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world
and the United States’ leading exporter. It is NASA’s largest
contractor and the largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and
military aircraft. The company’s capabilities in aerospace also
include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket
engines, launch vehicles, satellites, and advanced information and
communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with
customers in 145 countries.
