Europe’s leading space technology company, and OHB System AG, a subsidiary company of the European space and technology group OHB AG, today signed a contract for the delivery of propulsion systems for six Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) weather satellites. At its Lampoldshausen (Germany) site, Astrium develops and builds chemical bi-propellant systems, and will be responsible for the delivery of the complete subsystems: from initial design, to construction and diagnostics, through to supply, integration, and testing. A team of 40 at Astrium’s site will work on the propulsion systems with the first complete unit delivered in the first quarter of 2015.

The MTG series will include four satellites (MTG-I) equipped with imaging instrumentation and two satellites (MTG-S) with sounding instruments. ESA is developing two prototype MTG satellites (MTG-I1 and MTG-S1) based on EUMETSAT’s user and system specifications, and is coordinating the delivery of the subsequent satellites based on EUMETSAT’s requirements.

The prime contractor for the MTG programme is Thales Alenia in France. OHB System AG has been selected as a partner in the programme for six satellite platforms as well as taking a lead role on both of the sounder satellites.

Astrium has developed a Unified Propulsion System (UPS), which is adapted for the third generation Meteosat satellites and offers a complete pre-integrated drive system with 16 10-Newton thrusters for orbit and attitude control, and one 400-Newton apogee engine, all fuelled from two propellant tanks (925l) with hydrazine (MMH) and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO). After its release from the launch rocket, the 400-Newton apogee engine will propel the satellite to its 36,000 km geostationary orbit. At this stage, the majority of the fuel, around 80 percent of the total, will have been expended. The remaining 20 percent of the fuel will serve the satellite’s 16 thrusters to maintain its exact orbit path for the 13-year mission, and for any adjustments required.

Astrium, as a leading supplier of space transportation systems, has delivered complete UPS drive and propulsion systems for many other large European communication satellites; this UPS is designed for a lifespan of up to 15 years and with the highest weight efficiency. The new contract is proof of Astrium’s competitiveness, directly resulting from significant company investments and from its sustainable process improvement programme.

One aspect of note on the MTG project is the provision of the satellite structure for the integration of the UPS by Astrium. Astrium will be responsible for fitting the propellant and helium tanks, as well as the 400-Newton apogee engine and satellite structure – a central cylinder approximately three metres in height – and the 10-Newton thrusters. Astrium will then weld all the conduits, modules and tanks to the system, and carry out all the wiring and final system testing.

About Astrium

Together, pioneering excellence

Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the third in the world. It is the only global company that covers the full range of civil and defence space systems, equipment and services.

In 2012, Astrium had a turnover over €5.8 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide. Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation, the European prime contractor for launchers, orbital systems and space exploration; Astrium Satellites, a leading provider of satellite system solutions, including spacecraft, ground segments, payloads and equipments; Astrium Services, the Space services partner for critical missions, providing comprehensive fixed and mobile solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide.

Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of €56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.