SSC NEWS



SSC acquires US company
In January 2009, the Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) agreed to acquire the US company Universal Space Network (USN), which provides satellite operations services on the American continent. Read more »

Launch support for several satellites
		The first phase of satellite launches, LEOP (Launch and Early Orbit Phase), is critical. Intense contact with the satellite is needed to secure system functionality and correct vehicle positioning. A LEOP mission lasts from a few days up to two weeks. Read more »

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Prisma passed space flight simulation tests
SSC is the prime contractor for the Prisma satellites, which will demonstrate new technologies for formation flying and close interaction between space vehicles. Such technologies will be crucial in future research projects as they enable several small vehicles to act together to form powerful antennas and large telescopes in space. Read more »

New patent and contract for NanoSpace
		SSC’s subsidiary NanoSpace has been granted a patent for an isolation valve for spacecraft fuel tanks. The valve, a microchip of less than 1 g, can replace traditional pyrotechnic systems that are significantly larger, heavier and more expensive. The valve is part of NanoSpace’s miniaturized propulsion system which will make its first flight onboard Prisma. The system provides 1 milli-Newton thrust, enabling very precise attitude control. Read more »

Successful development for ECAPS

SSC’s subsidiary ECAPS, too, develops spacecraft propulsion systems, based on a high-performing, non-toxic and environmentally benign fuel called HPGP. As with NanoSpace’s system, the HPGP system, a 1 N thruster, will fly for the first time on Prisma. ECAPS has also developed 5 N and 22 N thrusters which recently reached level 4 of NASA’s Technology Readiness Level qualification definition.

The company has also initiated production of eight 1 N thrusters for two satellites of the American Earth observation project CICERO, which, fully developed, will comprise 24 satellites.

Odin, a fit eight-year-old

Just recently, the Odin space observatory celebrated eight years in orbit. To the relief of climate researchers all over the world, the Swedish National Space Board and ESA will continue to support Odin operations also during 2009.

Odin was developed by SSC for the space agencies of Sweden, Finland, France and Canada, and SSC also handles the mission control. During the first years, Odin also delivered astronomy data but since 2007, it is mainly used for regular studies of the Earth’s atmosphere.

Satellite projects with great potential
SSC is engaged in several international satellite projects. In one of them, the ESA project Proba-3, SSC leads an industrial European consortium which develops two satellites for demonstration of advanced formation flying technologies. The Proba-3 satellites will form a telescope between them to study objects near the sun. Launch is scheduled for 2012. Another ESA project, Small GEO, engages a number of European companies in the development of a small satellite platform for telecommunication. SSC is responsible for electric propulsion and systems for attitude and orbit control. The first satellite is planned to be launched for the Spanish satellite operator Hispasat in 2011.
		Proba-3 © ESA


Intense preparations for rocket projects
The ESA financed rocket programme MAXUS is a cooperation between SSC and the German company Astrium Space Transportation. MAXUS is the largest rocket to be launched from SSC’s Esrange Space Center. The rockets carry experiments for scientists who wish to eleminate gravity from their research in order to obtain more relevant results. Read more »

Student activities at Esrange
		The yearly recurring student programmes REXUS and BEXUS are conducted by SSC and the German space agency DLR within their EuroLaunch cooperation. The programmes are financed by ESA and the Swedish National Space Board. Read more »

Atmospheric research with balloons
Also in March, two atmospheric research balloons were launched from Esrange, carrying experiments mainly for German scientists. This project, too, was part of the EuroLaunch cooperation and a great opportunity for SSC to demonstrate its capacity for flight of very large and heavy balloon payloads. Read more »

Italian UAV tests at the Vidsel test range
In the autumn of 2008, the Italian company Alenia Aeronautica visited the Vidsel test range to verify its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A number of flights were performed in the unique test area NEAT, North European Aerospace Test range with 20 000 km² restricted airspace between Vidsel and Kiruna. Read more »

Successful missile test on marine test range
SSC is responsible for operations of test systems at the Swedish Defence Material Administration marine test range (PPNN) located in northern Sweden. During the fall, a successful firing exercise of the Saab Bofors Dynamics new generation Surface-to-Surface Missile RBS15 Mk3 was conducted. The missile, with its capability to combat ships as well as land targets, cruised over water in both fixed flight level control as well as automatic sea-state adaptation. The missile flew 165 km via 25 waypoints and it was primed to engage two marine targets, including re-attack, and one land target before hitting the final marine target.


Record delivery to Norway
	In December, SSC delivered a maritime surveillance system to the Norwegian company Helitrans. The system has been installed in an aircraft operated on behalf of the Norwegian Coastal Administration. The delivery time was the shortest ever. SSC received the order in October 2008 but still managed to meet the required timetable. This was facilitated by the fact that several new systems of the new generation, MSS 6000, have been sold already and that the hardware is now serially produced. Read more »