Saab Ericsson Space wins equipment order for Aeolus Laser Radar Satellite
Saab Ericsson Space wins equipment order for Aeolus Laser Radar Satellite Saab Ericsson Space AB has received an authorisation by EADS Astrium GmbH in Germany to start work on the worlds first satellite to measure global winds using satellite instrumentation. "This authorisation confirms our position as a leading supplier of Data Handling Systems and antennas for spacecraft. We offer our customers reliable products that have a strong heritage combined with state-of-the- art performance" says Bengt Mörtberg, president and CEO of Saab Ericsson Space. The Aeolus satellite carries one major instrument, the ALADIN (Atmospheric LAser Doppler lidar Instrument). This instrument will measure global winds and give three-dimensional maps over wind speed and wind direction. The data will enhance the Numerical Weather Prediction models meterologists use and thereby enable better precision and longer term predictions. The instrument will also give information on clouds and aerosols. The satellite, built under contract of ESA with EADS Astrium Ltd. in Great Britain, will be launched in October 2007 and will travel in a 400 km orbit. The satellite is designed to have a three-year life in orbit and is expected to be followed by more spacecraft in the future for operational use. The ALADIN instrument will be built by EADS Astrium SAS in Toulouse, France. Saab Ericsson Space will supply the Command and Data Handling Unit of the satellite platform. This unit will to a high degree be based on the design that is being worked on for the Pleiades earth observation program succeeding SPOT. The unit handles communication with ground control stations and thus receives commands to control the satellite and delivers information on the health status of the different units in the satellite. The system also takes care of the satellites position and orientation in orbit. Saab Ericsson Space will also deliver antennas for communication on S- band frequencies and antennas for instrument data downlinking at X-band frequency. Saab Ericsson Space will for these deliveries be under contracts to be signed shortly with EADS Astrium GmbH in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Saab Ericsson Space is an international, independent supplier of space equipment. The company's main products are computers, microwave electronics and antennas for spacecraft and adapters and separation systems for launchers. The company has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, a division located in Linköping, Sweden, and subsidiaries in Austria (Austrian Aerospace) and the USA (Saab Ericsson Space Inc). Saab Ericsson Space has approximately 520 employees.The company is jointly owned by Saab and Ericsson. Pictures available at: http://www.newsonline.nu/imgway/index.asp?pmid=32120 For further information please contact: Lars Nordfeldt, Director Communications & Public Affairs Tel: +46 (0)31-735 4312, Cellular: +46 (0)736-68 03 12, Fax: +46 (0)31-735 45 00 For further information on the project, please visit ESA's webpage at: http://www.esa.int/export/esaLP/aeolus.html ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/25/20031125BIT00140/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/25/20031125BIT00140/wkr0002.pdf http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/11/25/20031125BIT00140/bild.html Pictures