Sicral satellite ready for launch on April 5

Sicral 2 satellite ready for launch on April 15

Sicral 2 satellite ready for launch on April 15

April 13, 2015

Rome, April 13, 2015 - The Sicral 2 military telecommunications satellite will be launched on April 15. Liftoff is scheduled for 04:43 pm (local time), 09:43 pm (CET) from the Europes Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, using an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

Sicral 2 is a joint program between the Ministry of Defense in Italy and DGA (Direction G n rale de l'Armement), in France for the benefit of Italian and French armed forces, with respective stakes of 62% and 38%. It is conducted by Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, the two companies in the Space Alliance created by Finmeccanica and Thales.

Positioned at 37 E in the geostationary orbit, Sicral 2 will have a service life exceeding 15 years. It will enhance the satellite communications capabilities already provided for Italy by Sicral 1 and Sicral 1B (launched in 2001 and 2009) and for France by Syracuse 3A and 3B (launched in 2005 and 2006). All of these satellites were designed and developed by Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio.

Sicral 2 offers unprecedented flexibility and versatility. It will ensure interoperability with existing satellite systems, NATO traffic terminals and current national telecommunications networks. The satellite will provide strategic and tactical satellite communications services, supporting military land, sea and air platforms used by Armed Forces to garantee safety and security internal and external.

Thales Alenia Space is the main industrial partner in this program. In particular, it was responsible for the design of the entire Sicral 2 system, along with development, integration and testing (AIT) of the satellite at its satellite integration centers in Rome, Turin and Cannes. Thales Alenia Space is also responsible for the ground segment architecture, and it designed, developed and integrated the Mission Control Centers; Thales Alenia Space France played a similar role, integrating the French Mission Control Center into the Syracuse infrastructure.

The satellite weights 4360Kg with a power of 7KW. It will host the most technologically advanced equipment dedicated to an UHF and SHF payload for the Italian mission, a SHF payload for the French mission as well as a payload for remote control, Telemetry and Ranging with use of Expanded Spectrum modulations.

Telespazio participated in the realization of all the Sicral program. For the Sicral 2 ground segment, it was in charge of the design, implementation, integration and testing of the Satellite Control Center, including the main system at the Control Center in Vigna di Valle (Rome) , and the backup system at the Space Center in Fucino (L'Aquila). Moreover, the company is responsible for the interconnection system between the Italian and French mission centers.

Telespazio will manage Sicral 2 launch service from the European Spaceport in French Guiana, including the LEOP (Launch Early Orbit Phase) and IOT (In Orbit Tests) phases. Telespazio contributed funding for the development of Sicral 1B and Sicral 2 missions, therefore entitling it to part of the transmission capacity of these satellites and provides communications services to the armed forces of NATO countries.

About Thales Alenia Space

Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is a key European player in space telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration and orbital infrastructures. Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio form the two parent companies Space Alliance , which offers a complete range of services and solutions. Because of its unrivaled expertise in dual (civil/military) missions, constellations, flexible payloads, altimetry, meteorology and high-resolution optical and radar instruments, Thales Alenia Space is the natural partner to countries that want to expand their space program. The company posted consolidated revenues in excess of 2 billion euros in 2014, and has 7,500 employees in six countries. www.thalesaleniaspace.com

About Telespazio

Telespazio, a Finmeccanica/Thales 67/33 joint venture, is one of the world's leading operators in satellite services. Its activities range from the design and development of space systems to the management of launch services, from in-orbit satellite control to Earth observation, from integrated communications, satellite navigation and localisation services to scientific programs. Telespazio plays a leading role in the reference markets harnessing technological experience acquired over the years. Since its establishment, the company has participated in major European space programs such as Galileo, EGNOS, Copernicus and COSMO-SkyMed. In 2013, Telespazio employing approximately 2,500 people worldwide.

Press contacts Thales Alenia Space

Sandrine Bielecki

Tel: 33 (0)4 92 92 70 94

sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

Chrystelle Dugimont

Tel: 33(0)4 92 92 74 06

chrystelle.dugimont@thalesaleniaspace.com

Tiziana Ebano

Tel. 39. 06 4151 2574

tiziana.ebano@thalesaleniaspace.com

Press contact Telespazio

Paolo Mazzetti

Tel. 39 335 6515994

paolo.mazzetti@telespazio.com

LINK:	https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/space/press-release/sicral-2-...
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