Thales Alenia Space
wins contracts for Syracuse 3, Athena-Fidus and Sicral 2
operational support, and maintenance of associated ground
control systems
February 25, 2014
Thales Alenia Space
has won the contract awarded by French defense procurement
agency DGA to provide operational support for the Syracuse 3, Athena-Fidus and Sicral 2 space
systems.
This contract,
dubbed "SSAS", entails stationkeeping and support services
for the Syracuse 3A, Syracuse 3B and Athena-Fidus satellites, along
with the "French" part of the Sicral 2 satellite.
The
Syracuse 3 space system comprises two
telecommunications satellites in geostationary orbit (Syracuse 3A & 3B, launched in 2005 and 2006,
respectively) and the associated ground control systems. The
Athena-Fidus and Sicral 2 systems include the eponymous
satellites plus the associated ground control systems. These
two satellite systems are produced jointly by France and Italy, and are designed to meet the
needs of the defense and security authorities of the two
countries.
Thales Alenia Space
will provide the services for these satellites in
conjunction with its traditional partners, namely Thales and
Telespazio (satellite control).
"Thales Alenia Space
has supported the French Ministry of Defense in operating
the Syracuse
system for more than eight years," notes Bertrand Maureau,
Vice President for Telecommunications at Thales Alenia
Space. "The outstanding production services supplied by
Thales Alenia Space were a decisive factor in the DGA's
selection of our company to extend services already provided
for Syracuse to include the
joint milsatcom programs, Athena-Fidus and Sicral 2. The
services covered by this comprehensive contract will run
until 2031."