Ocean monitoring with space equipment from Saab Ericsson Space
Ocean monitoring with space equipment from Saab Ericsson Space JASON-1 is an earth observation satellite that will give us more data on the world's oceans. It will be launched 7 December 2001 using a Boeing Delta II rocket from a launch pad in California. The central data handling system of the satellite has been supplied by Saab Ericsson Space. For a period of three to five years, JASON-1 will furnish information on the topography of the world's oceans with aid of a radar altimeter. The satellite is also equipped with other instruments for gathering data on changes in sea levels, changes in seasonal ocean currents and their effects on climate. Greater knowledge of the global interaction of oceans and climate will contribute to, e.g., more reliable weather forecasting. JASON-1 is a successor to Topex/Poseidon, the satellite that predicted the El Niño phenomenon in 1997-1998. Saab Ericsson Space has developed and manufactured the central electronics unit of the satellite platform, the largest system of its kind made by the company to date. It's an all-in-one system, i.e. its units are integrated into a single system to carry out three different main tasks. The system monitors and controls satellite and payload functions, controls satellite attitude and includes a mass memory for payload and housekeeping data. The company has also supplied the satellite's S-band antennas for communication with facilities on the ground. Austrian Aerospace, a subsidiary of Saab Ericsson Space, has supplied electronics that control the pyrotechnical devices of the satellite used for releasing onboard mechanisms. Jason-1 is built on a standardized satellite platform, called Proteus, developed by French-based Alcatel. It is the first of a series of satellites for earth observation and science. JASON-1 will be put into a circular orbit at a bit more than 1300 km altitude and will work together with other satellites to enhance data gathering. The satellite measures 1 x 1 x 2 meters and weighs 500 kg. Jason-1 is a joint project of NASA and the French space agency CNES. Facts & figures on Saab Ericsson Space: Saab Ericsson Space is an international and independent supplier of space equipment. The main products are onboard computers, microwave electronics and antennas, control and separation systems and thermal hardware for use onboard satellites and launchers. The company has its headquarters in Göteborg, Sweden, a division located in Linköping, Sweden, and subsidiaries in Austria, Austrian Aerospace, and in the USA, Saab Ericsson Space Inc. Saab Ericsson Space has 660 employees. Saab Ericsson Space is jointly-owned by Saab and Ericsson. Saab is one of the world's leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The Group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capability in systems integration. Ericsson is a world leading supplier in the field of telecommunications. Ericsson offers total solutions from systems and applications to mobile telephones and other communications technology. For further information, please contact: Iréne Svensson, Communications Director, Saab Ericsson Space phone: +46 31 735 44 63, +46 705 35 08 18 This information is also available at our web site www.space.se. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/12/06/20011206BIT00350/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/12/06/20011206BIT00350/bit0001.pdf