Perhaps nothing distinguishes Man from all other creatures as much as his ability and his desire to communicate. Satellite technology, in a few short decades, has radically revolutionized how we communicate.
Making connections
When, in 1945, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke published an article in the magazine 'Wireless World' describing the possibility of a global communications network based on three geosynchronous orbit (that is, with the same period of rotation as the Earth), reactions were skeptical, to say the least. No-one at the time could remotely imagine the immense developments in store for space communications.
Today, millions of users around the globe routinely use satellite services for a vast array of applications in work, for leisure, orPerhaps nothing distinguishes Man from all other creatures as much as his ability and his desire to communicate. Satellite technology, in a few short decades, has radically revolutionized how we communicate.
Making connections
When, in 1945, science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke published an article in the magazine 'Wireless World' describing the possibility of a global communications network based on three geosynchronous orbit (that is, with the same period of rotation as the Earth), reactions were skeptical, to say the least. No-one at the time could remotely imagine the immense developments in store for space communications.
Today, millions of users around the globe routinely use satellite services for a vast array of applications in work, for leisure, or
Launched in August 2004, Amazonas-1 offers a wide range of telecommunications services to users in Latin America, including Brazil and North America, including the transatlantic route to Europe.
The Amazonas satellite for Latin America is the fifth launched by Hispasat and the third in a series of Astrium Eurostar E3000. Placed in geostationary orbit at 61 ° west longitude over the Amazon basin, it has 51 transponders (32 Ku-band and 19 C band) simultaneously providing services such as broadcast TV programs and radio communications corporate voice and data, telephony, broadband services and access to the Internet.
Weighing 500 kg to 4 launch, Amazonas-1 is equipped with solar panels 35 feet wide once deployed in orbit and provide
The UK MoD’s Skynet 5 program is delivering secure global satellite communications services under a groundbreaking Private Finance Initiative (PFI) approach pioneered by Astrium Services’ subsidiary Paradigm, the first commercial provider of secure military communications services. Under the contract, signed in 2003, the MoD transferred ownership and operation of the existing Skynet 4 infrastructure to Paradigm, and the company is procuring and managing the introduction into service of three new-generation Skynet 5 satellites (due for launch in 2007-2008 ), a major upgrade of the fixed terrestrial infrastructure, networks and management systems in the UK and provision of a range of new terminals. All UK secure satellite communications needs, including maintenance and operation of the complete ground infrastructure, are delivered by Paradigm.
The program provides a range of services, including global mobile voice communications, video conferencing, multimedia-based communications and broadcast communications, as well as supplying a versatile range of shipborne and land-based terminals, for purchase or lease. Offering a ‘catalog of services’, Paradigm delivers tailored in-theater and back-to-base communications solutions for voice, data and video services from a single voice channel to a complete turnkey system incorporating terminals and network management, with supplementary services in training and consultancy. Under the Skynet 5 contract Paradigm is delivering the highly successful ‘Welfare’ Communications Service designed to keep troops serving abroad, on land or at sea, in touch with their friends and families back at home through voice and internet connectivity. Read the rest of this entry »
After the successful launch of the satellite Earth observation last week GOCE, Astrium engineers can now add one more success to their charts. This is aboard the space laboratory Columbus to the International Space Station (ISS) that the crew of Space Shuttle Discovery have installed and put into service the instrument of experimentation PCDF (Protein Crystallisation Diagnostics Facility). A success that will allow scientists to study the growth of proteins in conditions of weightlessness.
- Astrium Astronauts begin operating the instrument testing PCDFs manufactured by Astrium
- The scientific community hopes to gather information needed to develop new drugs
Developed and manufactured at the Center “Payload & Life Support” of Astrium in Friedrichshafen, on behalf of the European Space Agency (ESA), the PCDFs should allow the study of nucleation and crystallization of protein molecules from a range of solutions, thanks to its special diagnostic instruments (microscope and interferometer). Teams of Astrium Aquitain Site de Saint-Médard-en-Jalles were responsible for the design, production and integration of four sub-systems of PCDFs, which thermostated chamber in which crystallization reactors and their regulatory heat. Read the rest of this entry »
NAVCOM Technology Inc., 100% subsidiary of Deere & Company, and Astrium Services, Division of Astrium, has signed a strategic partnership to provide solutions for ultra precise geopositioning throughout the Europe.
- Solutions for ultra precise geopositioning for Europe
- Decimetre precision through the Starfire’s Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)
Under this new alliance, Astrium Services will become the exclusive European supplier of products and solutions GNSS positioning NAVCOM, whose network Starfire ™ , A global SBAS (GSBAS) decimetre accuracy.
“By combining the extreme precision autonomous network Starfire ™ to geopositioning solutions, our partnership with Astrium Services discloses the possibility of bringing the GSBAS on emerging sectors and carriers of the market for defense, civil security and aerospace, “said Michael Lindsay, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of NAVCOM Technology. “This partnership is a major event because we offer the European leader in the space industry geopositioning technology that has made John Deere the number 1 global precision farming by optimizing the productivity of machines and reducing the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. ” Read the rest of this entry »
The satellite navigation GIOVE-B successfully completes its first year in orbit. Manufactured by an industrial team led by Astrium under contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), GIOVE-B is the second mission in orbit demonstration dedicated to the European Galileo satellite navigation.
- Astrium demonstration of technical feasibility of Galileo
- Measures over the long term signal quality
- The atomic clocks provide precision performance
Reinhold Lutz, Director of the navigation at Astrium, said: “The success of GIOVE-B demonstrates the expertise of Astrium in the development of satellite navigation complex. This mission has allowed engineers to test in orbit the new technologies needed for the Galileo constellation, which will pave the way for the navigation system vital for economic and technological future of Europe. ”
GIOVE-B (500 kg) was initiated in medium earth orbit (MEO) aboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on 27 April 2008. After an intensive round of tests in orbit, the satellite was declared fully operational in July. Read the rest of this entry »
Stevenage and Guildford, on 13 January 2009 - Astrium, the European leader in space, has acquired the Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL). SSTL is the branch of the innovative University of Surrey, which specializes in the design and manufacture of small satellites and subsystems. Approved by the European Commission in December 2008, this acquisition was announced today by Louis Gallois, CEO of EADS, at its January meeting with the press.
- Astrium acquires Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), the world’s leading manufacturer of small satellites
- Acquisition approved by the European Commission
- SSTL will remain an independent company and teaches at full
Colin Paynter, CEO of Astrium in the UK said “The acquisition of SSTL is great news. The UK space industry is now in a strong position. Astrium has a comfortable order book and is recruiting engineers, scientists and technicians to make scientific satellites, telecommunications, Earth observation and navigation This acquisition will complement the offer of Astrium with the expertise of SSTL in the field of small satellites and its method of developing new markets in space. ” Read the rest of this entry »