Archive for the ‘Thales Alenia Space’ Category
SEAKR Has Been Awarded The Iridium NEXT Communication Processor
SEAKR Engineering, Inc., a privately held company,announced that Thales Alenia Space (TAS), the Iridium NEXT prime contractor, has awarded the communication processor for the Iridium NEXT constellation to SEAKR Engineering. The Iridium NEXT constellation will ultimately replace the existing Iridium constellation providing enhanced mobile satellite communication services worldwide, with the first Iridium NEXT satellite launches scheduled for the first quarter of 2015.
The communication processor plays the critical role in the Iridium NEXT constellation of providing MOD/DEMOD for the user RF links, the satellite-to-satellite cross links, and the satellite-to-gateway links on Earth. It is also responsible for managing the network and routing user traffic. The processor will support existing waveforms to provide a seamless replacement of the existing constellation while also providing advanced capabilities to improve speed, bandwidth, and flexibility.
The scalability and flexibility of the Iridium NEXT communication processor will also have the potential for new applications beyond voice communications and is being developed with government and commercial cooperative relationships in mind which could leverage Iridium’s unique constellation architecture.
Thales Alenia Space Ships Three Second Generation Satellites to Globalstar
Globalstar, a provider of mobile satellite voice and data services, has stated that they have authorized the acceptance of three second generation satellites from manufacturer Thales Alenia Space and they will be shipped immediately to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. From that location the satellites are to be launched into orbit aboard the Soyuz launch vehicle in October.
Officials with Globalstar have commented that the satellite delivery represents another tremendous milestone achievement and is the culmination of more than five years of planning and work by Globalstar and their satellite manufacturer Thales Alenia Space. Delivery of these satellites would not have been possible without the diligent efforts of all their technical, financing and insurance partners. The company has specifically acknowledged the tireless work and commitment of all of its highly skilled employees around the world, as well as those at Thales Alenia Space and Arianespace, who helped make the satellite delivery a reality.
The new satellites with help Globalstar deploy its new constellation that is intended to offer finest quality mobile satellite voice and fastest mobile satellite data services to commercial and government customers in more than 120 countries. The new constellation along with Globalstar’ SPOT products are supposed to place the company in a unique position from where it can offer the world’s most extensive lineup of high quality mobile satellite services to the broadest range of customers around the globe.
Emmanuel Grave, head of telecommunications at Thales Alenia Space added that the delivery of the first satellites in the constellation is a major milestone for both Thales Alenia Space and their customer Globalstar. It reflects the close relationship that all their teams have developed throughout this program. With the delivery of the next three satellites at the end of August, and the launch of the first batch in the fall, Globalstar Second Generation will be entering service. They are very proud of their work on this program, and delighted to be able to ensure the satisfaction of their customer Globalstar.
Thales Alenia Space and Globalstar – three heading for upward mobility,45 to go
The first three satellites in the Globalstar 2G constellation are ready to be shipped from Thales Alenia Space facilities to the launch site. They will be orbited by Arianespace on a Soyuz launcher in October from Baikonour, along with three other satellites in the first launch batch, to be delivered by the end of August.
Globalstar contracted Thales Alenia Space for the design and delivery of 48 second-generation constellation low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites that will provide mobile phone and data satellite services. These satellites are now under construction at various Thales Alenia Space facilities in France and Italy. The payloads are built in Toulouse; the thermal subsystems and structures in Cannes; part of the side panels in Turin; several payload electronics units are developed and manufactured in L’Aquila; and Madrid where also are manufactured several microwave passive devices; the L-band antennas are produced in Rome and the onboard computer (OBPE) and part of the GPS receiver in Milan. Thales Alenia Space is also responsible for launch support services.
The new constellation will ensure continuation of Globalstar’s coverage beyond 2025, as well as offering a platform for expanded service and innovative solutions. Each 2G Globalstar satellite will weigh about 700 kg and offer end-of-life power of 1.7 kW, and is fitted with 16 transponders from C- to S-band, and 16 receivers from L- to C-band. Beginning in October 2010, the satellites will be launched in batches of six at a time. They have a design life of 15 years.
Thales Alenia Space played a major role in Globalstar’s first-generation program, as supplier of the satellite payloads, structures, propulsion and thermal subsystems, and several electronics units, as well as systems integration of the entire constellation, including an additional eight satellites launched in mid-2007. Thales Alenia Space’s long-term partnership with Globalstar, along with another major contract recently signed in this domain, clearly demonstrate the company’s leadership in constellations, based on proven expertise in system design and telecommunications technologies in general.