ASTRIUM TO SUPPLY COMPUTERS FOR RUSSIAN SATELLITES

Russian space company places order with Astrium for five on-board computers for telecommunication satellites

Moscow – Success for Astrium following the “Bavarian days in Moscow”: On the 19th July, Astrium signed a nine million EURO contract with the Russian satellite manufacturer NPO PM and the RSCC (Russian Satellite Communication Company) for the production of five central on-board computers for the Russian Express AM telecommunication satellites. NPO PM has also signed options for two further computers. The on-board computers form the "heart" of the satellites and will control on-board data distribution as well as the satellites' position. Astrium GmbH in Munich will deliver the computers to Russia within the next two years.

"For Astrium, this is the first commercial order from a Russian satellite manufacturer. This is a great success and provides obvious proof of our expertise in the design and manufacture of highly complex central computers for space systems. We are optimistic that this order is the beginning of a strategic commercial co-operation with our Russian partners“, said Evert Dudok, Director of Navigation & Constellation in Moscow.

The tasks of a central computer on a telecommunication satellite are numerous: the satellites have to be kept permanently and precisely in their orbital position which means that the position has to be continuously monitored. In case of deviation, appropriate control signals will be transmitted from the on-board computer to the attitude control thrusters.

Astrium has particular expertise in the field of complex on-board computers for space systems. The "brain" of the International Space Station, the on-board computer system DMS-R (Data Management System Russia), comes from Astrium in Bremen. DMS-R has been successfully controlling attitude control of the ISS and other important systems since 12 July 2000. For many years, Astrium in Munich has been successfully supplying satellite manufacturers all over the world with on-board computers designed for up to 15 years maintenance-free operation in space. Today Astrium currently has, orbiting the Earth, accident and problem free, around 100 on-board computers of varying sizes, built for many different customers. The on-board computers for NPO PM will be developed from these and tailored to the specific requirements of the Russian satellites.

Successful co-operation with its Russian partners in the DMS-R project has provided Astrium with a firm foundation for these negotiations. Though in the "new area" of commercial commissioning of Astrium by Russian companies, these negotiations have been successfully concluded in under a year by the signing of this contract.

"In view of the developing market for telecommunication satellites, we consider this contract a break-through and hope to enter into strategic co-operation with our Russian partners in this sector as well“, Evert Dudok said in Moscow, "so that, in addition to our excellent collaboration on the International Space Station, we will be able to add another attractive facet to our co-operation with Russia in space,“ he continued.