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Harwell, December 8, 2022 - Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has completed the assembly, integration and testing (AIT) of the MicroCarb satellite platform, and is now ready to begin the integration of the dispersive spectrometer delivered to the UK, bringing this important climate mission a step closer to launch in early 2024.
MicroCarb is a joint French-British mission, with French space agency CNES as prime contractor for the satellite which is built on its Myriade platform, and Airbus Defence and Space providing the instrument. This mission is designed to precisely monitor the Earth's atmospheric CO2 and detect the changes associated with surface emissions and carbon uptake across cities, forests and oceans worldwide. A special city-scanning mode will allow mapping CO2 distribution in cities, which are responsible for a majority of global emissions.
Thales Alenia Space is working alongside the French and UK space agencies to show how space-based science can help us better understand the vital carbon cycle.
CNES & Thales Alenia Space
Andrew Stanniland, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space in the UK, said: I am proud of my team's achievements and the fact that we have repaid the trust placed in them to lead AIT and launch preparations for Europe's first carbon monitoring mission. This is the first time that Thales Alenia Space in the UK has worked with CNES, reflecting the agency's confidence in our teams of highly skilled engineers. I'm looking forward to the next phase of instrument integration, as it is an important part of our capabilities as a UK prime contractor for major space missions.
Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive Officer of the UK Space Agency, added: Over half of the critical measurements on climate change rely on satellite data, which means that the information delivered by MicroCarb will be hugely important. Having more accurate knowledge of how much carbon the world's forests and oceans absorb will provide the information needed to take decisions on tackling climate change. It's very exciting to see the MicroCarb satellite arrive in the UK. It's also a testament to the expertise of the UK scientists and engineers involved and the world-class facilities available at the Harwell Space Cluster.
The MicroCarb satellite will be launched from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana in early 2024, with support from Thales Alenia Space's French and British teams.
About MicroCarb
The MicroCarb mission, due to launch in 2024, is designed to map carbon dioxide (CO2) sources and sinks. Its dispersive spectrometer instrument will precisely measure the total column concentration of CO2 over the whole Earth and on a regional scale to inform climate change decision-making. At COP21, France announced its intention to launch the first European carbon mission to help meet the international challenge of understanding regional carbon fluxes. All nations will need to monitor carbon in the coming years. The UK and France signed a bilateral agreement in January 2014 to work together on space programs. Based on this agreement, French space agency CNES invited the UK to be a mission partner, in recognition of the UK's strength in climate and carbon-related spaceborne Earth observation.
ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE
Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies' Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.15 billion euros in 2021 and has around 8,000 employees in 10 countries with 17 sites in Europe and a plant in the US.
THALES ALENIA SPACE - PRESS CONTACTS
Sandrine Bielecki
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com
Catherine des Arcis
Tel.: +33 (0)6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com
Cinzia Marcanio
Tel: +39 (0)6 415 1 26 85
cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com
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