Thales Alenia Space has been selected by ESA for the missions of the Copernicus satellite programme of Earth observation. “Copernicus – explains a note – provides Earth observation data for the protection and monitoring of the environment, the assessment of natural disasters and other services relevant to society.
The joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) will participate in five of the six new missions Copernicus leading three of them as prime contractors. The total volume of orders resulting from the outcome of the tenders should be around to 1,8 billion euros.
According to the company, the negotiation phase will begin shortly and the signing of the contracts is expected in the coming weeks.
Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, he said: “I would like to warmly thank ESA for the trust placed in us by participating in no less than five of the six new Copernicus missions, leading three of them as a responsible company. These successes reflect Thales Alenia Space's ability to manage complex Earth observation missions in various configurations, providing relevant solutions, both optical and radar. I would also like to thank the European Commission, member states and national space agencies, especially ASI and CNES, for their strong support
The missions in which Thales Alenia will cover the prime contractor role they are CHIME (Copernicus Hyperspectral Imaging Mission for the Environment), with OHB System and Leonardo as main subcontractors; Thales Alenia Space Italia for CIMR (Copernicus Imaging Microwave Radiometer) with OHB System and OHB Italia as subcontractors; Thales Alenia Space Italia for ROSE L (Radar Observing System for Europe L band) with Airbus Defense & Space Germany as subcontractors.
Thales Alenia Space will also be responsible for the payload for two other missions: Thales Alenia Space France for the CO2M (CO2 Monitoring Mission) instrument to measure global anthropogenic CO2 emissions and thus play a key role in studying and monitoring the causes of climate change, with OHB System as prime contractor; Thales Alenia Space France for the CRISTAL altimeter (Copernicus polar Ice and Snow Topography ALtimeter) with Airbus Defense & Space Germany as prime contractor.
