SSTL collaborates with
Kypros Satellites on new
turnkey, low-cost geostationary
system
Surrey Satellite Technology
Ltd (SSTL) and Kypros Satellites
(Kyprosat) have signed an
agreement to collaborate on a
turnkey, low-cost geostationary
telecommunications satellite
system. The solution is based on
SSTL’s small GMP-T geostationary
satellite platform which
delivers up to 5.5kW power,
offered together with orbital
slot assets and asset management
services provided by Kyprosat.
The framework agreement between
SSTL and Kyprosat brings a new
approach of delivering solutions
to the satellite market.
Traditionally satellite
operators are also the orbital
slot ‘owners’ where they also
undertake the arduous and
complex process of engineering a
solution that meets their
requirements, while also dealing
with the procurement process,
the legal, legislative and
financing aspects of a project.
The Kyprosat-SSTL collaborative
solution encompasses the
satellite and mission design,
manufacture and test, launch,
in-orbit and ground segment
service management, licensing
and regulatory management,
financing, and insurance
services, offering a
cost-effective and less complex
approach for in-orbit satellite
ownership, and opening up the
telecommunications market to new
players.
SSTL’s GMP-T platform is a
flexible small satellite design
which delivers up to 5.5kW of
power and up to 8GHz of Ka-band
or 1GHz of Ku-band. The platform
is designed to stack in pairs
for launch, thus reducing launch
costs.
The signing of the agreement
took place in Limassol, Cyprus
on 5th September 2014, and was
attended by the Cyprus Minister
of Communications and Works, Mr.
Marios Demetriades together with
representatives from SSTL,
Kyprosat, and Mr Joerg Kreisel,
the CEO of JKIC.
After the signing ceremony Dr
John Paffett, Director of
Telecommunications and
Navigation for SSTL, commented
“SSTL’s small Geo platform is
perfectly placed to address the
Kyprosat needs and to offer
smaller domestic telecoms
operators in emerging markets an
affordable entry opportunity to
an indigenous capability. At the
same time it offers established
global commercial satellite
operators opportunities for
cost-effective and rapid upgrade
or replacement of capability.”
Mr Angelos Pieri, CEO of
Kyprosat said “There are many
nations and regions of the world
with needs which can easily be
serviced with a smaller
satellite. Hosted payloads and
leasing bandwidth is of course
an option currently offered, but
the benefit of our offer is to
provide a solution tailor-made
to the customer needs and more
importantly you have your own
satellite which can be operated
autonomously, relocated or
redeployed during its lifetime.“
Kyprosat is already pursuing
opportunities with potential
customers, and is launching a
roadshow of the new product over
the next few months.
