Thales Alenia Space Deutschland enters the Meteosat Third Generation programme

April 26, 2012

Thales Alenia Space Deutschland GmbH, today signed a contract with Thales Alenia Space-France in the frame of the Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) weather satellites.

This contract includes the development and the validation of the operations Satellite Simulator (SATSIM), as well as the Payload Data Generator for all the satellites. It has been signed in Berlin at a ceremony attended by Klaus-Dieter Scheurle, the State secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Traffic, Construction and Urban Development. The amount is worth up to 4 million Euros.

The Operations Satellite Simulator (SATSIM) is a real-time numerical model of the space segment and of the space to ground interface highly representative of the satellite housekeeping telemetry and telecommand. It will be used by Eumetsat to develop its ground segment and prepare the satellites operations.

The Payload Data Generator is a simulation tool to be used by Eumetsat for the advanced verification and validation of the Instrument Data processing Chain (IDP) part of the ground segment. 

"This contract illustrates the Thales Alenia Space, willingness to further develop highly skilled competences in the satellites simulators and ground segments areas in Germany taking the opportunity of the excellent partnership developed by France and Germany for MTG.” said Reynald Seznec, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

Sven Carstensen, CEO of Thales Alenia Space Deutschland GmbH added "I am very proud to be part of this fascinating MTG program. This contract will mark a significant milestone in the development of Thales Alenia Space Germany and our proven capabilities to widen our offers towards worldwide customers".