ESA Selects EADS Astrium to Build Swarm Satellites

The three satellites will investigate the Earth’s geomagnetic field and are planned to be launched in 2010. (EADS photo)

FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Nov. 21, 2005/Satnews Daily/ ¾ EADS Astrium has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop and build three satellites for the Swarm mission. The satellites, worth approximately $101.22 million (€86 million), will be manufactured within 48 months.

EADS said the Swarm mission will provide the most detailed data yet on the geomagnetic field and its temporal evolution, giving new insights into improving our knowledge of the Earth's interior and climate. The three Swarm spacecraft are scheduled for launch in 2010.

The Swarm constellation will comprise three satellites in three different polar orbits - two flying side by side at an altitude of 450 km and a third at an altitude of 530 km. High-precision and high-resolution measurements of the strength, direction and variations of the Earth's magnetic field, complemented by precise navigation, accelerometer and electric field measurements, will provide valuable data essential for modeling the geomagnetic field. The results will offer a unique view from space inside the Earth, and enable the composition and processes of the interior to be studied in detail.

This mission will also enable analysis of the Sun's influence on the Earth. In addition, it is expected that Swarm will have practical benefits including better forecasting of radiation hazards in space, and improved navigation and exploration for new resources on Earth.

“We are very proud that ESA has placed its confidence in us for this mission. EADS Astrium, in particular at Friedrichshafen, has a long and successful track record in designing and developing magnetically clean systems, and in the UK at Stevenage has an equally impressive record in producing satellite structures and propulsion systems,” said Dr. Reinhold Lutz, EADS Astrium's vice president for Earth Observation, Navigation and Science.

EADS Astrium will set up a German-UK team for Swarm. The Friedrichshafen site will be prime contractor for the project, prepare the electrical design of the satellites, procure the instruments and finally assume overall responsibility for the satellites. EADS Astrium UK will be responsible for the propulsion system, structure, mechanical and thermal development, mechanisms (including the deployable boom with the key scientific instruments) and pre-integration of the satellites. Most of the work will be carried out in Stevenage with some specialist skills coming from the Portsmouth site, EADS Space said.

Recent Stories:

ESA to Launch Venus Express on Nov. 9

First Galileo Satellite to be Presented at ESA/ESTEC

ESA's New Deep Space Antenna Undergoes Final Acceptance Testing

ESA Starts Venus Express Launch Campaign