When weather conditions are decidedly cold, accuracy in weather predictions must be observed.
OHB Sweden has been appointed as the prime contractor for the development of a European Space Agency Arctic satellite program and will use ANYWAVES antennas for satellite telemetry, telecommand, geolocation and also for the data downlink.
By providing global measurements of atmospheric temperature and humidity with frequent revisit times, the polar-orbiting Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS) mission will complement the European MetOp and its U.S. counterpart, the NOAA Joint Polar Satellite System. This satellite’s launch is scheduled for 2024 and a constellation may follow this prototype mission, aiming to allow very short-range weather forecasting, or ‘nowcasting’, in the Arctic.
The AWS will have onboard three different types of antennas to be delivered by ANYWAVES no later than December 2022.
Regarding the telemetry and telecommand, S-Band TT&C antennas will be supplied. Orbiting at a 600 km altitude, AWS’ geolocation will be possible as a result of an L1/E1 band antenna designed via ANYWAVES’ secrete sauce based on additive manufacturing.
Lastly, the payload antenna will ensure that the real-time data downlink will be accomplished using an L-Band antenna; a key equipment for the mission success. The antennas will determine the success of this mission.
So far, this first order from OHB Sweden, amounts to tens of thousands of euros for the French antennas manufacturer. It could reach several hundreds of thousands of euros should the decision be made to continue to build out this constellation.
When ESA launched the Artic Weather Satellite project, its objective was to embrace a New Space approach by proving new concepts in a cost-effective and timely manner.
By 2024, OHB Sweden, as prime contractor, as well as ANYWAVES as payload antennas provider, will both try the challenge to demonstrate the usefulness of radiometric measurements in improving weather predictions.
Their teams are already working to achieve their mission and to pave the way to a new European satellite constellation.
According to Nicolas Capet, ANYWAVES CEO, "This order from OHB Sweden is very significant. First, because being once again selected by an historical European satellites manufacturer is the recognition of OHB's expertise. Then, because Arctic Weather Satellite‘s mission perfectly pictures what space can bring to humanity: and a better understanding of Earth as well as a major benefit for citizens thanks to better weather forecasting."
According to Benoit Mathieu, OHB Sweden’s CEO, "OHB Sweden is happy to collaborate with the well-established antenna manufacturer ANYWAVES as their products fit the full range of antennas needed for this mission."