Deals Valued At Nearly $27 Million

Kongsberg has signed two contracts with a total value of EUR 23.6 million (approx. $26.73 million) with Airbus Defence and Space for delivery of a KA band Antenna Pointing System and Solar Array Drive Assembly for the next generation European weather satellite program MetOp-Second Generation (MetOp-SG), a program of and funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) and EUMETSAT.

Signing the MetOp-SG contract with Airbus Defence and Space represents a break-through for Kongsberg Space and the new state-of-the-art Antenna Pointing System. Kongsberg made a strategic choice more than four years ago to develop and qualify this product, and the first target was the MetOp-SG program. This represents an important reference contract, says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Space and Surveillance.

The support from the Norwegian Space Centre and ESA has played an important role in reaching this milestone, says Hauglie-Hanssen.

The Antenna Pointing System is a mechanical system used to point a satellite antenna dish towards a ground station and transfer information from the satellite to the ground station. The Solar Array Drive Assembly is a mechanical system that connects the solar panels to the satellite, rotates the panels towards the sun, and transfers electrical power from the panels to the satellite’s power system.

The MetOp-SG-program consists of two satellite configurations, with three satellites in each configuration. The program is designed to provide continuity and enhancement of the first generation European, polar-orbiting, Meteorological Operational series of MetOp satellites. The first generation MetOp system will be operational until the early 2020's, by which time the first MetOp-SG satellites will be deployed to ensure continuity for a minimum of 21 years of operational service.

The MetOp-SG satellites are being developed under the responsibility of ESA and will be operated by the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), the programme end-user. Airbus Defence and Space is the prime contractor, and is responsible for building and delivering the six satellites.

Kongsberg has extensive involvement in several areas of the MetOp-SG programme, including development and production of satellite components, back-end electronics for the satellites’ payload and download of the meteorological data.

Kongsberg’s deliveries include a broad range of products, and we are proud to be trusted with both development, delivery and operation in this, says Hauglie-Hanssen.

(Image provided with Kongsberg Gruppen news release)

FMI: www.kongsberg.com