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COM DEV Europe Launches New TT&C Transponder Into Production
AYLESBURY, England, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Following a three-year development programme and the supply of several flight units,
COM DEV Europe, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK, has now secured its first full-scale
production contract for its new TT&C transponder. The Authority to Proceed (ATP) is in
excess of CDN$1 million and allows COM DEV Europe to start long lead item procurement. The
final contract will be agreed in the coming months.
TT&C transponders are the vital link from the spacecraft to ground through which all
of the commands to the spacecraft are received from ground stations and the health status
reports sent back to Earth. Such transponders are therefore critical to the success of the
mission and have to be designed to survive the rigours of space and perform reliably for
up to seven years in orbit.
COM DEV Europe has designed and qualified a very light, compact and efficient unit by
using the latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifier technology and advanced digital
data processing techniques to minimise power consumption. The design also allows the unit
to be easily reconfigured by using FPGA technology.
The development was part-funded through the European Space Agency ARTES programme,
with support from the UK's Technology Strategy Board. The support that is given to UK
companies enables them to invest in leading-edge product developments with large potential
exports benefits.
COM DEV Europe's new TT&C transponder has attracted interest from around the world and
it has been selected for a major programme involving initially 14 TT&C units with the
potential for an additional 12 units to be ordered in 2013 or 2014. The equipment will be
built in COM DEV Europe's facility in Aylesbury and the first batch of deliveries will be
completed within 16 months.
COM DEV Europe's President, Rob Spurrett, said: "This new order is a really important
milestone for this product. It enables us to move into full-scale production and
establishes our product as the preferred choice for a leading spacecraft supplier. It has
been a long journey, and the support of ESA and TSB has been extremely important."
About COM DEV Europe
COM DEV Europe (CDE) is subsidiary of COM DEV International, a leading global designer
and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems. Founded in 1985 and based in Aylesbury,
United Kingdom, CDE supplies complex equipment, technology solutions and subsystems for
space applications with equipment supplied on over 85 space programmes. Its customer base
includes all the major space satellite providers as well as government institutions.
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in any
forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that, among other things, in view of the
rapid changes in communications markets and technologies, and other risks including the
cost and market acceptance of the Company's new products, the level of individual customer
procurements and competitive product offerings and pricing, and general economic
circumstances, the Company's business prospects may be materially different from
forward-looking statements made by the Company. The view expressed herein can in no way be
taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency. The triangular logo
and the word COM DEV are each registered trademarks and the property of COM DEV Ltd. All
rights reserved.
For further information:
Rob Goldsmith
Business Development Director
COM DEV Europe
Tel: +44-1296-616420
rob.goldsmith@comdev.co.uk
Gary Calhoun
Chief Financial Officer
COM DEV International
Tel: +1-519-622-2300
ext. 2826
gary.calhoun@comdev.ca
Craig MacPhail
TMX Equicom
Tel: +1-416-815-0700
ext. 290
cmacphail@tmxequicom.com
Com Dev International Ltd
COM DEV Europe Launches New TT&C Transponder Into Production
AYLESBURY, England, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --
Following a three-year development programme and the supply of several flight units,
COM DEV Europe, of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, UK, has now secured its first full-scale
production contract for its new TT&C transponder. The Authority to Proceed (ATP) is in
excess of CDN$1 million and allows COM DEV Europe to start long lead item procurement. The
final contract will be agreed in the coming months.
TT&C transponders are the vital link from the spacecraft to ground through which all
of the commands to the spacecraft are received from ground stations and the health status
reports sent back to Earth. Such transponders are therefore critical to the success of the
mission and have to be designed to survive the rigours of space and perform reliably for
up to seven years in orbit.
COM DEV Europe has designed and qualified a very light, compact and efficient unit by
using the latest Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifier technology and advanced digital
data processing techniques to minimise power consumption. The design also allows the unit
to be easily reconfigured by using FPGA technology.
The development was part-funded through the European Space Agency ARTES programme,
with support from the UK's Technology Strategy Board. The support that is given to UK
companies enables them to invest in leading-edge product developments with large potential
exports benefits.
COM DEV Europe's new TT&C transponder has attracted interest from around the world and
it has been selected for a major programme involving initially 14 TT&C units with the
potential for an additional 12 units to be ordered in 2013 or 2014. The equipment will be
built in COM DEV Europe's facility in Aylesbury and the first batch of deliveries will be
completed within 16 months.
COM DEV Europe's President, Rob Spurrett, said: "This new order is a really important
milestone for this product. It enables us to move into full-scale production and
establishes our product as the preferred choice for a leading spacecraft supplier. It has
been a long journey, and the support of ESA and TSB has been extremely important."
About COM DEV Europe
COM DEV Europe (CDE) is subsidiary of COM DEV International, a leading global designer
and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems. Founded in 1985 and based in Aylesbury,
United Kingdom, CDE supplies complex equipment, technology solutions and subsystems for
space applications with equipment supplied on over 85 space programmes. Its customer base
includes all the major space satellite providers as well as government institutions.
This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from results indicated in any
forward-looking statements. The Company cautions that, among other things, in view of the
rapid changes in communications markets and technologies, and other risks including the
cost and market acceptance of the Company's new products, the level of individual customer
procurements and competitive product offerings and pricing, and general economic
circumstances, the Company's business prospects may be materially different from
forward-looking statements made by the Company. The view expressed herein can in no way be
taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency. The triangular logo
and the word COM DEV are each registered trademarks and the property of COM DEV Ltd. All
rights reserved.
For further information:
Rob Goldsmith
Business Development Director
COM DEV Europe
Tel: +44-1296-616420
rob.goldsmith@comdev.co.uk
Gary Calhoun
Chief Financial Officer
COM DEV International
Tel: +1-519-622-2300
ext. 2826
gary.calhoun@comdev.ca
Craig MacPhail
TMX Equicom
Tel: +1-416-815-0700
ext. 290
cmacphail@tmxequicom.com
Com Dev International Ltd