Press Release

UK space experts SciSys undertake software role across three satellites for critical Climate Change mission

By SpaceRef Editor
February 17, 2007
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SciSys, a leading provider of software services, has announced a major contract from EADS Astrium GmbH to develop on-board satellite software for the three-satellite Swarm mission, a key part in the European Space Agency’s Living Planet programme.

The objective of Swarm is to provide the best ever survey of the geomagnetic field and its evolution over time, and so gain new insights into improving our knowledge of the Earth’s interior and climate. Resulting geomagnetic field models will improve our understanding of atmospheric processes related to climate and weather and will also have practical applications in many different areas, such as for example, ocean circulation, space weather, and radiation hazards.

The Swarm concept consists of a constellation of three satellites in three different polar orbits between 400 and 550 km altitude. High-precision and high-resolution measurements of the strength and direction of the magnetic field will be provided by each satellite. The satellites will be launched in 2009.

The SciSys on-board software will be responsible for controlling the precise orbit and attitude of each Swarm satellite as well as handling all of their communications with the ground segment. SciSys will be involved throughout all the stages of the Swarm development, from the initial software architecture and definition of the requirements, through integration of the software on-site with the processor hardware supplier in Italy, to supporting system level testing.

“We are delighted to have been chosen to provide the key software for this important programme and welcome the opportunity to continue our close relationship with the teams at EADS Astrium and ESA” said Alan Batten, the Space Business Manager at SciSys.

The SciSys team also confirmed that they have been contracted by Laben to develop the Test Application Software as part of the On-board Computer development for the Swarm mission.

About SciSys:

SciSys plc (formerly Science Systems) is a leading global developer of IT services, e-Business and advanced technology solutions, renowned for quality and efficiency. The company operates in a broad spectrum of market sectors including space, defence, public sector, communication, business services and transport. Within these markets, SciSys has been involved in significant developments in key technologies that have changed the way people do their jobs. SciSys clients are predominantly blue chip, government and quasi-government organisations. Customers include the Environment Agency, Ministry of Defence, Astrium, Rural Payments Agency, European Space Agency and the Metropolitan Police.

Additional information about SciSys is available at: http://www.scisys.co.uk/

For more information, please contact:

Chris Lee
SciSys Ltd
Tel: +44 (0)1249 466466
Chris.Lee@scisys.co.uk

SpaceRef staff editor.