Danish Power to Galileo
(Herlev, 9 February 2006) -- Terma will deliver the primary power supply unit for the European satellite navigation system Galileo and deliver a power supply unit for each of first four satellites. Terma’s customer is Alcatel Alenia Space in Cannes.
When the Galileo system is fully developed in 2010, it will consist of 30 satellites. The contracts for the remaining 26 satellites will be issued for tender in 2007, and then Terma is in a very favorable position to also secure these power supply contracts.
In addition, Terma will develop the software for the check-out system. It is the system which will ensure that each individual satellite is in full working order before launch.
Terma is also a member of the international consortium who will develop the Mission Control system by which the technicians will control the satellites after launch. The system is developed on the basis of a software platform (SCOS 2000) which Terma has developed for the European Space Agency, ESA, and is used for operating a range of existing satellites.
The Power Conditioning and Distribution Unit (PCDU) is one of the most critical systems onboard a satellite as all sub-systems and their backup functions rely on one common power supply system. Thus in case of a fatal power failure, the entire spacecraft mission will be lost immediately. Terma has generated a unique expertise in developing compact power supplies with low weight and great reliability.
This knowledge has been accumulated through the development and manufacturing of the electronics units for more than 20 European missions, such as the scientific missions XMM, Integral, Rosetta, Mars Express, and Venus Express. Also the Danish Ørsted satellite plays an important part in Terma’s development of the power systems.
The power supply for the Galileo satellites weighs 17 kilos. The outer dimensions are approximately 50x30x20 cm. It converts 2.5 kW and supplies and distributes a continuous regulated 50 voltage supply for all electric units onboard.
Whereas the software tasks will be developed at Terma’s Herlev location, the development and manufacturing of the power supplies will be performed in Lystrup. The four units will be delivered late 2007. A team of eight-ten engineers and technicians will be responsible for the development, design, and testing, and the contract means that about ten new jobs are created in Lystrup.
The three Galileo contracts amount to a total of approximately DKK 60 million with a potential of DKK 250-300 million before 2010.
- With the prospect of manufacturing 30 power units for Europe’s future communication infrastructure as well as software for check-out and mission control systems, it is an international break-through for the Danish space industry. We have secured this contract through a focused development of competencies and know-how over a period of more than 10 years, and today, Terma is the European leader of this very significant area, says Carsten Jørgensen, Senior Vice President for Terma’s Space activities.
- I would also like to emphasize the fruitful cooperation we experienced with the Danish Research Agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. This cooperation has contributed to opening the doors and has been an influential factor for securing the three contracts, says Carsten Jørgensen.
About Galileo
Galileo is a new civilian European satellite navigation system, and behind the system are ESA and the EU Commission. Today, two systems exist, the Russian GLONASS and the U.S. GPS, Global Positioning System. Galileo will be operational from 2010 with a total of 30 satellites which will be located in three distinct orbits in a distance of approximately 23,000 kilometers from the earth.
About Terma A/S
Terma develops products and systems for a range of civilian and military purposes, including electronics and software for satellites and space. Besides, Terma’s business areas include radar systems, command, control and communication systems, systems for protection of aircraft, photo reconnaissance, air traffic management, and aerostructures.
Terma A/S is headquartered in Lystrup, near Århus with locations in Herlev and Grenaa and subsidiaries and offices in a range of European countries and in the U.S. The company employs 1,100 persons and realized in 2004/2005 revenues of approximately USD 200 million dollars with an export share of 80 percent.
For additional information about Terma, visit www.terma.com
CONTACT:
Carsten Jørgensen,
Senior Vice President, Terma Space
T: +45 8743 6000
M: + 45 2046 9650
E: cj@terma.com
Source : Terma A/S
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