ESA appoints OHB Sweden’s use of ANYWAVES antennas to improve weather forecasts in the Arctic – SatNews
When the weather conditions are decidedly cold, accuracy in weather forecasts must be observed.
OHB Sweden has been appointed as the main contractor for the development of this program by the European Space Agency and will use ALL WAVES‘antennas for its satellite telemetry, telecommando, geolocation and also for the data downlink.
By providing global measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity with frequent return visits, the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) polar orbit mission will complement the European MetOp and its US NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System equivalent. Its launch is scheduled for 2024 and a constellation may follow this prototype mission aimed at enabling very short-range weather forecasts, or “nowcasting”, in the Arctic.
Artic Weather Satellite will have three different types of antennas on board delivered by ANYWAVES by December 2022.
In terms of telemetry and telecommando, S-Band TT&C antennas will be delivered. Orbit at an altitude of 600 km, AWS geolocation will be possible as a result of an L1 / E1 band antenna designed via ANYWAVES secreting sauce based on additive manufacturing.
Finally, the payload antenna will ensure that the real-time data downlink will be an L-band antenna; a key piece of equipment for the success of the mission. The antennas will determine the success of this mission.
To date, this first order from the European main contractor, OHB Sweden, amounts to tens of thousands of euros for the French antenna manufacturer. It could reach hundreds of thousands if the decision is made to continue building the constellation.
The last task means that the payload antenna ensures that the real-time data downlink will be an L-band antenna; which is the key equipment for the success of the mission. In this context, antennas are then a key equipment for the mission’s success.
According to Nicolas Capet, ANYWAVES VD, “This order from OHB Sweden is very significant. Firstly, because being re-selected by a historic European satellite manufacturer is a recognition of OHB’s expertise. Then, because Artic Weather Satellite’s mission perfectly depicts what space can bring to humanity: and a better understanding of the earth as well as a great benefit for citizens thanks to better weather forecasts.“
According to Benoit Mathieu, OHB Sveriges vd, OHB Sweden is pleased to collaborate with the well-established antenna manufacturer ANYWAVES as their products fit the entire range of antennas needed for this mission.”
When ESA launched the Artic Weather Satellite project, its goal was to adopt a New Space strategy by proving new concepts in a cost-effective and timely manner.
In 2024, OHB Sweden, as the main contractor, as well as ANYWAVES as a supplier of payload antennas, will both try to demonstrate the usefulness of radiometric measurements to improve weather forecasts.
Their team is already working to achieve its mission and to pave the way for a new European satellite constellation.