Horten, Norway – Kongsberg Norspace AS® has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space for delivery of Back End Electronics for the Microwave Sounder Instrument (MWS) for the next generation European Meteorology satellites MetOp-SG.
MetOp-SG is a cooperative undertaking between ESA and EUMETSAT and is the follow-up programme to MetOp First Generation. The Microwave Sounder instrument is a cross track scanning microwave radiometer, which measures global temperature and humidity profiles. The inputs from this instrument greatly enhances the National Meteorological Services’ ability to provide realistic Numerical Weather Predictions. Norspace will supply the Back End Electronics for the most critical 54/57 GHz channels that measure the global temperature profile.
Early development and breadboarding that enabled Kongsberg Norspace to bid and win this project has been going on since 2013, partially funded by the Norwegian Space Centre (NSC). In addition to this early work, the Norspace World Class SAW filter competence and heritage played an important role in securing the contract.
Commenting on the contracts award, Kongsberg Norspace’s president Ellen D. Tuset said, “We are proud to be trusted with the development and delivery of this critical hardware for improved future weather predictions, and look forward to working with Airbus and ESA to realize the potential of the new MWS instrument. Moreover, we are pleased to join forces with Mier and Rymsa (both part of TRYO Aerospace Group of Spain) for the METOP-SG program, combining the best capabilities of our companies to provide the back-end electronics for the ICI (Ice Cloud Imager) and MWI (Micro Wave Imager) instruments in addition to the MWS instrument.”
MWS Project Manager David Masterson comments “Kongsberg Norspace and their subcontractor colleagues have shown enthusiasm and drive to bring their filter and receiver technology to our technically-demanding satellite instrument”.
Further Technical details can be found at;
seom.esa.int/LPS13/383b07d3/MetOp-SG_Payload_LVP_poster_4-P-328.pdf
“The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.”
