Com Dev to develop new antenna technology for ESA program
Com Dev International Ltd CDV
Shares issued 35,108,984 May 27 close $5.90
Thu 27 May 99 News Release
Mr. Alan Winter reports
Com Dev International's Space Group has signed a contract valued at
approximately $835,000 with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop
antenna pointing mechanism technology which enables satellite antennas to
be rotated to different positions to transmit signals accurately between
satellites and down to earth. This project is part of ESA's Advanced
Research in Telecommunications Systems Program (ARTES 3) established to
promote multimedia satellite systems.
Under the terms of the contract, Com Dev will develop RF gimbal pointing
mechanisms for use on such satellite systems as SkyBridge, a constellation
of 80 low earth orbit satellites providing global access to interactive
multimedia communications. Other applications of the gimbals include
intersatellite links and feeder links for telecommunications spacecraft,
and downlinks for earth observation spacecraft.
"A testament to Com Dev's high volume space production capabilities,
development of this gimbal technology will draw on Com Dev's heritage of
developing and manufacturing antennas and gimbals for Iridium," says Space
Group president, Alan Winter. Com Dev supplied more than 1,000 antennas to
Motorola's 66-satellite Iridium system as part of the largest volume
antenna contract ever commissioned. Compact in design, the pointing
mechanisms will be manufacturable in high volumes at a low cost, yet able
to survive harsh space conditions.
ARTES 3 is an ESA program designed to promote multimedia satellite systems,
offering European and Canadian industry the opportunity to actively
participate in the development of high performance interactive multimedia
communications and services. Canada is the only non-European country
participating directly in ESA programs.
ESA is an inter-governmental organization with a mission to provide and
promote, for exclusively peaceful purposes, the exploitation of space
science, research and technology, and space applications. The agency is
responsible for a European space plan that spans the fields of science,
earth observation, telecommunications, space segment technologies including
the in-orbit stations and platforms, ground infrastructures and space
transport systems, as well as microgravity research.
The Space Group manufactures advanced products that are sold to the major
satellite prime contractors for use in commercial communications
satellites. The Wireless Group manufactures ground-based infrastructure
subsystems used in microwave and radio frequency systems, such as GSM and
CDMA-based digital telephone systems, and wireless local loop networks.
These products are sold primarily to major PCS wireless equipment vendors.
Wireless Systems manufactures radio-based wireless communications products.
These products range from high power base stations and cell extenders to
indoor distributed repeater systems, all of which are used by service
providers.
WARNING: The company relies on litigation protection for "forward-looking"
statements.
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