Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) today announced the successful separation from the Soyuz launcher and subsequent operation of mission-critical systems onboard the exactView-1 satellite, which was built by the Company under contract to prime contractor COM DEV Canada for exactEarth.
exactView-1 separated from the Soyuz launch vehicle’s Fregat upper stage in low Earth orbit approximately 2 1/2 hours after launch. SSTL has since established communications with the satellite in its of 817km sun synchronous orbit from SSTL’s Guildford mission control centre and is receiving telemetry and commanding the spacecraft. Initial system checks have confirmed that critical systems such as power, avionics, telecommand and control are all functioning as expected, and the solar panel has been deployed.
SSTL will continue the commissioning of the satellite in orbit. Once all platform systems are operational, engineers from COM-DEV Canada will work alongside the SSTL ground operations team to commission its highly advanced Automatic Identification System payload.
About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world's leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with over 400 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.
Since 1981 SSTL has built and launched 37 satellites – as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA , international governments and commercial customers, with its innovative approach that is changing the economics of space.
Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by Astrium, an EADS company. www.sstl.co.uk
About COM DEV
COM DEV International Ltd. (www.comdevintl.com) is a leading global provider of space hardware and services. With facilities in Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, COM DEV manufactures advanced subsystems and microsatellites that are sold to major satellite prime contractors, government agencies and satellite operators, for use in communications, space science, remote sensing and defense applications. COM DEV's majority-owned subsidiary, exactEarth Ltd., provides satellite data services.
About exactEarth Ltd
exactEarth, based in Cambridge, Ontario, is a data services company providing the most advanced information on global maritime traffic available today. Our premium service, exactAIS®, delivers an unrivalled view of the recognized maritime picture at a global scale. Offering fully secure data in a variety of industry standard formats and delivery methods, exactEarth’s data provides real value for a wide range of operational maritime applications delivering operational efficiencies, enhancing security, safeguarding the environment, and assisting in saving lives. exactEarth is jointly owned by COM DEV International Ltd (TSX: CDV) and HISDESAT Servicios Estratégicos S.A. For more information, visit our website at www.exactearth.com