January 2016

Novel AIS receivers on their way

1 February 2016 – A new satellite to be launched in April by the Norwegian Space Centre (NSC) will include two AIS receivers that will improve the identification and tracking of ships anywhere on the seas.

Breakthrough in SAT-AIS antenna design

19 January 2016 – A new SAT-AIS antenna developed with the support of ESA combines higher-gain with a smaller footprint. Clever engineering has reduced its overall size so that up to five could be hosted on a single cubic-metre minisatellite.

Final Presentation Days for Payload Technologies and Products

16-19 February 2016, ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands)

The RF Systems, Payloads & Technology Division (TEC-ET) and the Payload Technologies and Products Section (TIA-TTP) have scheduled Final Presentation Days for Payload Technologies and Products on 16-19 February 2016.

SmallGEO successfully passes mechanical tests

13 January 2016 — The Hispasat AG1 satellite, based on the new SmallGEO platform, has successfully completed the first step of the environmental test campaign. The team will continue the ground test programme to complete the design and performance verifications prior to shipping the satellite to Kourou, French Guiana, for launch later this year.