Dutch Space has been granted two new contracts for the delivery of solar panels for the Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 satellites. These satellites are part of the international Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) program of the European Union and ESA.

The contract for Sentinel-1, representing a value of EUR 13.4 million, has been closed with the Italian Thales Alenia Space. For Sentinel-2, Dutch Space was granted a EUR 10.3 million by EADS Astrium in Friedrichshafen. The GMES initiative focuses on the observation of the earth with the use of satellites in space and facilities on earth, at sea and in the air to provide environmental and safety information.

To make a different way of unfolding possible, Dutch Space further developed the technology where the solar panels open up after the satellite has been delivered in space by the launching vehicle. This is required as the panels are folded in an unusual spot against the satellite during launch. The Sentinel solar panels are equipped with a special additional panel, called the yoke panel, which not only houses part of the unfolding mechanisms, but also moves the panels with solar cells towards the Sun to maximise the power for the satellites during mission. Dutch Space will deliver the first set of solar panels for Sentinel-1 half of 2011, the second set in August that year. The sets of solar panels for Sentinel-2 will be delivered beginning and mid 2012. The launch of the first Sentinel-1 satellite is scheduled for late 2011, that of Sentinel-2 in 2012.