GNSS, artistic rendition
The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) has been successfully passed, with the Company having proved to a panel including the European Space Agency (ESA) that they demonstrated a sufficient level of design maturity. SSTL is teamed with OHB System of Bremen, Germany for the provision of the first 14 satellites in the Full Operational Capability (FOC) phase of Europe’s new Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), which will provide accurate and resilient navigation services globally. OHB is the prime contractor and builder of the spacecraft platform and SSTL is responsible for delivering the satellites’ navigation payloads which form the heart of the navigation system.
Each FOC payload will comprise a number of subsystems that will combine to generate the navigation messages broadcast by the satellites directly to a user's receiver on Earth. Each payload comprises numerous subsystems from specialist European suppliers including two types of atomic clocks, signal generators, high power amplifiers and antennas. The first of these subsystems are being delivered to SSTL now. Production schedules for the FOC payloads are extremely challenging to all parties involved. The delivery of the first payload is scheduled for late 2011, after which a production line will be started and the subsequent payloads will be delivered at 6-week intervals.
SSTL will shortly commence work on the Engineering Model Payload, which will provide early evidence of the FOC payload’s capabilities in support of the satellite Critical Design Review (CDR) which is scheduled for later summer 2011. A secure cleanroom in SSTL’s new technical facility, due for completion in May, will be used to test and integrate this Engineering Model and the FOC payloads.