L-3's Storm satellite control centres for Astrium, Inmarsat

Astrium, and global mobile satellite communications provider, Inmarsat Limited have signed multiple strategic contracts with L-3 Communications' Storm Control Systems (L-3 Storm) subsidiary, to define, design, build and offer Satellite Control Centre (SCC) software and related services for future Astrium EUROSTAR 3 000/2000 satellite customers, including Inmarsat for its new 1-4 satellites. Inmarsat will contribute its extensive operations expertise of over 11 years, as well as telemetry and telecommand kernel software capabilities.

The first operational use of the SCC will be for Inmarsat's I-4 series of spacecraft, planned for launch in 2003, as well as their existing Inmarsat-2 and Inmarsat-3 spacecraft. In addition, Astrium will use and offer the SCC for all satellites based on EUROSTAR 2000 and 3000 platforms.

With a full suite of software products for telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), the E3000/E2000 SCC provides system automation tools that are powerful, platform independent and flexible. The systems will also feature a highly advanced integrated Java graphical user interface (GUI), providing extensive capabilities for managing a fleet of satellites. In addition, the SCC will support the monitoring and control of numerous other types of satellite platforms.

"Through this partnership, the unique combination of each company's key products and core competencies will create a never-before achieved breakthrough in the offering of Satellite Control Centres for the benefit of EUROSTAR customers and, more generally, satellite operators," said Philippe Gremillon, manager of Satellite Control and Operation Engineering for Astrium Telecommunication satellites and Jean-Michel Darroy, Astrium division manager of Operations Centres and New Products.

"The signing of this partnership contract is a unique event within the satellite marketplace," said Mayank Patel, director of European Operations for L-3 Storm. "Building upon the Co-operation Agreement recently signed with Inmarsat, the agreement with Astrium represents a significant long-term relationship designed to provide a world-class joint product offering that leverages each company's strengths."

The partnership agreement with Astrium and Inniarsat is being led for L-3 by Storm Control Systems Ltd. which is based just west of London. Customers include the US Air Force, Boeing Satellite Systems, EarthWatch, Inmarsat, Raytheon, several Lockheed Martin divisions, Space Systems/Loral, TRW, Orbital Sciences, and Telespazio.

REF XQQAS XQQEE XQQSE