Kongsberg Satellite Services to provide operational services to METOP

Kongsberg Satellite Services have signed (TBC) a service agreement with the European meteorology organisation EUMETSAT to support the operation and maintenance of the METOP satellite series. The METOP-series is planned to consist of three satellites and will form the main component in Europe’s future operational weather forecast-services. The first satellite will be launched in July 2006 and will be supported by Konsberg Satellite Services ground station Svalsat on Spitsbergen / in Svalbard. The agreement covers both operational services as well as the maintenance of antennas (especially built?) and receiving-equipment.

The launch of the METOP satellites will contribute to the Svalbard Satellite station  (SvalSat) becoming the world’s leading station in receiving data from- and control of meteorological (polar orbiting) satellites. The contract is worth approx. / ca. 4.5 million NOK per year and with further options will come to a total of ca. 45 mill NOK.

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Norwegian Space Centre own Kongsberg Satellite Services on a 50/50 basis. The company currently operates three ground stations; the Tromsø Station at 69°39´N 18°56´E , Svalbard Satellite Station (SvalSat) at 78°15´N 15°80´E., and Grimstad, (South Norway) at 58°20´N 8°21´E.
There is currently a new ground station under development in Antarctica. This site, TrollSat, based at the Norwegian Research Station, Troll, is estimated to be ready in Spring 2007.

The company offers services for both the control of, and data reception from, polar-orbiting satellites to satellite owners all over the world. In addition the company develops and sells services based on the data received for weather-, climate-, and environmental surveillance.

Kongsberg Satellite Services has apx. 70 employees in Tromsø and Svalbard, and the turnover in 2005 was 110 mill NOK.

For more information please contact:
President, Rolf Skatteboe
Konsberg Satellite Services
Ph: 91198985

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