Saab Ericsson Space wins order worth 120 MSEK for Pleiades Command and Data Handling System development
Saab Ericsson Space wins order worth 120 MSEK for Pleiades Command and Data Handling System development Saab Ericsson Space AB has received an order from EADS Astrium in Toulouse, France to develop the command and data handling system for the Pleiades satellites, next generation of earth observation satellites following the successful SPOT series. The order value is 120 Million SEK. "This order proves that our systems are world class and that our accomplishments in the SPOT program were highly appreciated", says Bengt Mörtberg, president and CEO of Saab Ericsson Space. Pleiades, under prime contract of EADS Astrium, are smaller, cheaper and more agile satellites than the SPOT generation which has been in uninterrupted service since 1986. Pleiades will deliver images with a resolution of less than a meter compared to 2.5 meters for SPOT 5. The Pleiades satellites will have a launch mass around a ton compared to three tonnes for SPOT 5 and will consume half the power compared to its predecessors. Saab Ericsson Space will supply the Command and Data Handling Unit of the satellite platform. This equipment is highly integrated with high data processing capabilities. It 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 will be the first to adapt to a new open standard specification for future satellite platforms for Earth Observation from EADS Astrium. Pleiades is like SPOT managed by the French Space Agency, the CNES, and supported by Sweden's National Space Board. The first Pleiades launch is planned for 2008 and the second for 2009. Saab Ericsson Space is an international, independent supplier of space equipment. The company's main products are computers, microwave electronics and antennas for satellites and control and separation systems for launch vehicles. 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=33478 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/12/20040112BIT00260/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/12/20040112BIT00260/wkr0002.pdf http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2004/01/12/20040112BIT00260/bild.html Pictures