In Broadcast - June 2020 - 16

www.inbroadcast.com | Vol: 10 - Issue 6 | June 2020

InSAT

Comtech US$12.6M NASA
Artemis Project Deal
C

omtech
Telecommunications
is a great day for Comtech. This
Corp. recently announced
award demonstrates that our U.S.
that during its third quarter of
prime contractor recognises the
fiscal year 2020, its Missionunique value of Comtech's space
Critical
Technologies
group's
level electronic parts supply chain
Space & Component Technology
management and engineering
division, which is part of Comtech's
services expertise for this critical
Government Solutions segment,
manned space program."
was awarded a contract valued
The
contract
consolidates
at US$12.6 million from a major
requirements for high reliability
U.S. prime contractor in support
electrical,
electronic
and
of NASA's Orion Production and
electromechanical
parts
and
Operations Contract (OPOC) or
engineering services for multiple
commonly known as the Artemis
customer sites in support of three
Fred Kornberg, CEO, Comtech Telecommunications spacecraft missions: Artemis III, IV
project.
The Artemis project is intended to Board and Chief Executive Officer of and V.
help NASA carry the first woman and Comtech Telecommunications Corp.,
The contract was initially funded at
next man to the moon by 2024.
said: "We are delighted to be part US$6.3 million and the final contract
Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the of this important program and this value is subject to final negotiation.

UK-Based Space Team To Boost Sector
F
our UK-based companies will team
up to combine their complementary
skills and expertise to enhance
further the country's space industry
capabilities to deliver prosperity and
security.
Athena is the UK's new national
team in space, formed by Serco,
Inmarsat, CGI UK and Lockheed
Martin UK. The four companies are
world leaders in providing technology
and services across defence, space,
communications and information
technology
to
governments,
businesses and other organisations.
Kevin Craven Serco Chief Executive,

UK & Europe, said: "I am
delighted to introduce Athena
as an exciting new team
that will deliver enhanced
space-based technologies and
services from the UK. Athena
will boost British capabilities,
as well as the economy, via growth
in this fast-moving, developing
sector. The launch of Athena also
ensures diversity and choice in the UK
space sector for future sustainable
development."
Athena has been formed to seize
development opportunities that new
space technologies will offer, driving

economic growth for the UK
and diversification across the
British space sector as Athena
succeeds.
The combined capabilities
and technologies available to
Athena will enhance further
the country's ability to deliver the
UK's 'Prosperity and Security in Space'
strategy.
The strategy aims to increase the
value of space to wider industrial
activities to £500 billion, generate
an extra £5 billion in UK exports and
attract £3 billion of additional inward
investment.

SES To Restructure And Consolidate
S

ES has announced plans to
our
business,
drive
restructure
its
operations
collaboration, and improve
worldwide,
including
the
efficiency. We are making
consolidation of part of its
these changes thoughtfully,
European regional operations into
ensuring that, wherever
the company's global headquarters.
possible, we redeploy our
SES aims to improve operational
talent within the company
efficiency, collaboration and overall
and minimise the impact to
effectiveness by consolidating
our global workforce while
functions in fewer locations while SES consolidates European operations in Luxembourg HQ enhancing our ability to
enhancing sales and customer-facing London and The Hague as well as its support and serve our global customer
activities in the markets served.
headquarters in Luxembourg.
base."
As a result, SES plans to close
"In this rapidly evolving market, it is
In March 2020, SES announced
its offices in Brussels, Central important that SES remains an agile 'Simplify
&
Amplify'
as
a
London, the Isle of Man, Warsaw business partner for our customers," comprehensive programme to position
and Zurich, redistributing activities said Steve Collar, CEO of SES. "Simplify the company for future growth and
in these locations to other offices & Amplify is a transformational deliver maximum value to current and
in Kiev, Stockholm, Stockley Park in undertaking that will streamline future customers and stakeholders.

Preparations
Resume For
Vega Launcher

he launch campaign has resumed
for Arianespace's next mission,
which will be the proof-of-concept
flight with the Vega launcher's 'rideshare' configuration - known as the
Small Spacecraft Mission Service
(SSMS).

Arianespace utilised smart glasses
during payload checks for Flight VV16

Scheduled for the middle of June
from the Spaceport in French Guiana,
it will loft 53 micro and nanosatellites
for the benefit of 21 customers,
deploying these payloads into SunSynchronous orbit.
For the mission, designated Flight
VV16 in Arianespace's launcher
family numbering system, Vega will
carry seven microsatellites weighing
from 15 to 150kg, along with 46
smaller CubeSats. These spacecraft
are to serve various applications,
including
Earth
observation,
telecommunications,
science,
technology and education.
The SSMS program, initiated by the
ESA with the European Commission's
contribution, will boost Arianespace's
ability to offer ride-share solutions
tailored for the flourishing small
satellite market.
Avio, the Italian company that is
production prime contractor for Vega
launch vehicles, also developed the
SSMS ride-share concept. Design
authority for the multi-payload
dispenser system is SAB Aerospace.
The SSMS dispenser is composed
of modular components that are
assembled as needed to serve as
the interface with grouped payloads
composed of microsatellites and
CubeSats.
Capable of accepting a full range
of payload combinations, the SSMS
configuration has been designed to be
as responsive as possible in meeting
the launch service market's needs
for both institutional and commercial
customers.

The Vega launcher for Arianespace
Flight VV16 takes shape

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In Broadcast - June 2020

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