Saab Ericsson Space wins signal generator contract for Galileo navigation satellite system

Saab Ericsson Space has been working for ESA for several years to develop the signal-generating equipment in Galileo, Europe’s civil equivalent of the USA’s military GPS system. The company has now also been entrusted to supply signal generators for the experimental satellite.

"Saab Ericsson Space and our industrial partners have all the expertise required for the project, and we also have the time advantage that is needed to meet the extremely tough schedule," says Rolf Kallander, project manager at Saab Ericsson Space.

Galileo is a collaboration project between the EU and ESA which aims to make Europe independent of the USA’s military GPS navigation system, and offer users even greater accuracy and improved accessibility, as well as higher resistance to interference than is possible with GPS alone. The plan is to have receivers available that can receive both GPS and Galileo signals when the system starts up in 2008.

For several years, Saab Ericsson Space has been leading an industrial group including Astrium in Germany and Austrian Aerospace, which aims to define and build test equipment for the signal generator in the Galileo system’s satellites. This initial test equipment will be delivered late this summer.

Before the entire system of 30 satellites is built, two test satellites will be launched, followed by a further three to test that the system works as intended.

The current order for Saab Ericsson Space and its team colleagues is for signal generators for the initial test satellite. The total order encompasses delivery of a test model and two space-quality equipment, as well as extensive testing.

Saab Ericsson Space is an international, independent supplier of space equipment. The company’s main products are computers, microwave electronics and antennas, control and separation systems, and thermal insulation material for use onboard satellites and launch vehicles. The company has its headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, a division located in Linköping, Sweden, and subsidiaries in Austria (Austrian Aerospace) and the USA (Saab Ericsson Space Inc).

Saab Ericsson Space has approximately 600 employees, 420 of whom in Gothenburg.

The company is jointly owned by Saab and Ericsson.

For further information please contact:
Lars Nordfeldt, Director Communications & Public Affairs, Tel: +46 (0)31-735 43 12, Cellular: +46 (0)703-668 03 12, Fax: +46 (0)31-735 45 00



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