Displaying items by tag: ESA

Sentinel-2 is a multispectral operational imaging mission within the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) program, jointly implemented by the EC (European Commission) and ESA (European Space Agency) for global land observation (data on vegetation, soil and water cover for land, inland waterways and coastal areas, and also provide atmospheric absorption and distortion data corrections) at high resolution with high revisit capability to provide enhanced continuity of data so far provided by SPOT-5 and Landsat-7. ^{1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8)}

Vitrociset Belgium provides world class products, engineering services and support in the field of space programs and high technology projects.

Vitrociset has almost 30 years of experience and uninterrupted collaboration with Space Agencies and Satellite Operators.

Vitrociset’s specific areas of activity span from Satellite Technology to Telecommunications, from Information Technology to Users’ Application Development & Services. Vitrociset endeavor for high-level performance systems which encompass design, hardware & software development, integration and operation.

Vitrociset Belgium operates all along the projects lifespan, realizing and managing systems and services through solutions value-for-money and able to provide quality and security centred on the highest standards of innovation.

Quality Management System

Vitrociset Belgium successfully undergone and terminated the audit of the Quality Management System according to the ISO 9001:2015 standard. Our assessor was SGS Belgium NV- the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company.

The certificate has been obtained on all the domains of activities of VITROCISET, which include:

• Management, Operations and Maintenance of large complex structure with electronics and software subsystems;
• Engineering, development, integration and deployment of electronics and information systems (ICT);
• Development of software suites and tools for Satellite Ground Data systems and Integrated Logistic applications;
• Development of added value applications for final users integrating different technologies available on the Space and Telecom domains;
• Supply, Logistics and PHST (Packing, Handling, Storage & Transport (ation)).

The idea is to develop a modular logistic vehicle capable to provide in the future continuous logistic service between LEO and the Moon surface. Based on the use of a new structural concept in which the Payload cargo is retained via the use of airbag technology, the first time in Space technology, the goal is to demonstrate the structural performance of this new architecture with a scaled demonstrator to be tested in a Space laboratory. The modular characteristics will permit to launch in different missions Payload Modules and the Powered Module with orbital rendez-vous and docking, this will permit to host more propellant and send more payload mass to the Moon, as high as 6.3 Tons using advanced (restartable) LH2/LOX engine technology (at this stage even though the engine has not been identified it doesn't preclude the feasability of the concept, i.e it can be a scaled-down version of the Vinci engine). The Powered Module will mate with the Payload Modules with orbital rendezvous in LEO and once assembled the MTLM LH2/LOX engine shall provide the delta-V to go to the Moon and land. This kind of scenario that is different with respect to that of the EL3 mission has a much higher growth potential once fuel depots will be available in LEO and on the Moon surface, with the potential to guarantee a continuous logistic service between LEO and Moon. The idea is to exploit at best the availability of existing launchers such as Ariane 6. The retain of payload cargo via airbags once qualified can permit to simplify the requirements for the payload reducing its cost and this can give the opportunity to use this technology in other missions. Having airbags permanently inflated inside the Payload Module precompressing both the payload packages and the external retaining structure will permit to let the structure to work permanently in tension avoiding risks linked to buckling and this should significantly reduce the mass of the structure.

Alphasat is a mobile communications service spacecraft in GEO of Inmarsat Plc. of London, UK, referred to as Inmarsat 1-XL. It uses the first next-generation European Alphabus platform and carries in addition to the commercial Inmarsat payloads four hosted TDPs (Technology Demonstration Payloads) of ESA (European Space Agency). The Alphabus/Alphasat project is covered by the ARTES-8 (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) European program. The four hosted payloads on Alphasat I are: ¹⁾

• TDP1: An advanced LCT (Laser Communication Terminal) representing a further development of already existing flight hardware on TerraSAR-X, NFIRE and TanDEM-X. The objective is to demonstrate GEO-LEO ISLs (Intersatellite Links) of high data rate transmissions (optical link at 1064 nm, 1.8 Gbit/s user data rate), complemented with a Ka-band payload developed by Tesat Spacecom (Germany). The payload is funded by DLR.

• TDP5: Two experimental Q/V-band communications transponders to assess the feasibility of these bands for future commercial applications - developed by TAS-I and Space Engineering, Italy.

• TDP6: Demonstration of an advanced Star Tracker with active pixel detector - developed by Jenoptik of Germany.

• TDP8: Demonstration of an environment effects facility to monitor the GEO radiation environment and its effects on electronic components and sensors - developed by Effacec (Portugal).

Copernicus is the European Union's Earth observation programme coordinated and managed by the European Union (EU) in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), the EU Member States and EU Agencies.

It aims at achieving a global, continuous, autonomous, high quality, wide range Earth observation capacity. Providing accurate, timely and easily accessible information to, among other things, improve the management of the environment, understand and mitigate the effects of climate change, and ensure civil security.

The objective is to use vast amount of global data from satellites and from ground-based, airborne and seaborne measurement systems to produce timely and quality information, services and knowledge, and to provide autonomous and independent access to information in the domains of environment and security on a global level in order to help service providers, public authorities and other international organizations improve the quality of life for the citizens of Europe. In other words, it pulls together all the information obtained by the Copernicus environmental satellites, air and ground stations and sensors to provide a comprehensive picture of the "health" of Earth.

GEO Innovations Ltd is an international company bringing together highly qualified associate consultants with wide experience of business and projects in the military, meteorological, communications and scientific sectors in the satellite industry. The company was formed in 2010, specifically to provide dedicated and focused consultancy and technical engineering services to the aerospace industry.

This invaluable experience provides our clients with solutions that not only improves efficiency, performance, successful acceptance testing, product launch or strategy realisation but will also endure and adapt throughout the system or business life cycle. Since GEO Innovations Ltd is an independent consultancy, the advice and solutions proposed for a client will be completely impartial.

Our business and management consultants have experience across the entire hierarchy of large international businesses working within a highly dynamic and rapidly evolving technological environment.  Our team is well placed to support our clients in turning vision into achievement in a multi-cultural and international environment.

Noordwijk, November 5^th 2014 – Sapienza Consulting Ltd, a company of the Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) Group is pleased to announce that today inked an agreement with the European Space Agency (ESA) to provide (Corporate) consolidated management services for ECLIPSE and PRISMA applications. The service will be available from any ESA location, however, Sapienza service operations’ staff will operate primarily from the ESA/ESTEC centre and Sapienza own offices across Europe.

The three-year contract awarded, (with an optional extension of a further two), focuses on the provision of ECLIPSE-PRISMA corporate-level services to all ESA establishments worldwide. The contract is underpinned by an incorporated licensing agreement between ESA and Sapienza for the provision of an ECLIPSE corporate-license available to all ESA Directorates for the same duration of the contract.

As part of the contract, Sapienza and ESA will work together to standardise and improve the delivery of the services, to increase efficiencies, as well as promoting the transition from the heritage PRISMA software to the ECLIPSE software suite, where this meets the individual requirements of the Programmes and Corporate users’ base.

With this contract, Sapienza Consulting makes a substantial step forward in establishing itself as a leading European provider of Space Projects and Mission Support through its people, software and services.

Furthermore, the formalisation of the ECLIPSE suite as the corporate tool of choice for ESA, brings Sapienza a step closer to its declared ambition for the ECLIPSE suite to become the European Standard tool for supporting space project Document Management & Configuration Management, Product Assurance, Quality Assurance and Project Management activities throughout the space supply chain. In fact, this latest contract award comes after a series of industrial contracts resulting in the adoption of various ECLIPSE modules from Major Space sector actors such as Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space and OHB System. 

About ECLIPSE

The ECLIPSE Suite is a unique web-based, software platform designed for commercial Prime-Contractors, SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and Governmental Space institutions alike. ECLIPSE Suite empowers its users with a unique toolset supporting the management of:

• Product Assurance
• Quality Assurance
• Document & Configuration Management
• Configuration Management
• Project Management

activities in space projects and missions according to the requirements of ECSS Standards.

About Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) group

The Sapienza Consulting Group is a leading provider of space mission and project support through people, software and services. Since 1994 Sapienza has been a supplier to the European Space Agency as well as the other key players of the European institutional and commercial space sector. The Group now consists of strategically located offices in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy,The United Kingdom and France.

Follow us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sapienza-consulting

For Media information contact:

Sapienza Consulting Group
Space Business Park
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31(0)71 407 6518
Fx: +31(0)71 407 6536

http://www.sapienzaconsulting.com

About ESA/ESTEC

The European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, is the largest ESA establishment, a test centre and hub for European space activities. It has responsibility for the technical preparation and management of ESA space projects and provides technical support to ESA’s on-going satellite, space exploration and human space activities.

For Media information contact:

European Space Research & Technology Centre
Keplerlaan 1
2200 AG
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31 (0)71 565 6565

www.esa.int

“The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.”

Noordwijk, April 15th 2014 – Sapienza Consulting Ltd, a company of the Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) Group has signed a competitive frame contract for the provision of IT applications and Infrastructure Support services to ESA/ESTEC, Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Sapienza Consulting Ltd is member of a winning consortium led by SERCO Nederland BV.

The Frame contract awarded, with duration of three years and an optional extension of a further two, covers the provision of IT services to all ESA/ESTEC based directorates in the domains of:

• IT consultancy 
• Bespoke Software development and maintenance
• Infrastructure maintenance and operations
• Website maintenance, operations and evolution

Andrea Bennetti, Commercial Director of Sapienza Consulting said: “This contract award is a testimony of the trust that ESA has placed in Sapienza for providing high quality services and people in an environment driven by high customer expectations for security, performance and cost effective solutions. It reinforces and complements our recent successes in providing similar services across the commercial European Space sector. We look forward to another Five Years of close collaboration with all of our ESTEC customers.”

About Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) group

The Sapienza Consulting Group is a leading provider of space mission and project support through people, software and services. Since 1994 Sapienza has been a supplier to the European Space Agency as well as the other key players of the European institutional and commercial space sector. The Group now consists of strategically located offices in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, The United Kingdom and France.

Follow us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sapienza-consulting

For Media information contact:
Sapienza Consulting Group
Space Business Park
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31(0)71 407 6518
Fx: +31(0)71 407 6536

www.sapienzaconsulting.com

About ESA/ESTEC

The European Space Research and Technology Centre in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, is the largest ESA establishment, a test centre and hub for European space activities. It has responsibility for the technical preparation and management of ESA space projects and provides technical support to ESA’s on-going satellite, space exploration and human space activities.

For Media information contact:
European Space Research & Technology Centre
Keplerlaan 1
2200 AG
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31 (0)71 565 6565
www.esa.int

About Serco Nederland BV

Serco is a global management and service company with over 35 years experience in the Space and Information Technology Business. Serco is one of the top 50 World Space Manufacturing and Service companies, and currently employs over 1500 specialist staff in Space related business across Europe, the Middle East and North America.

For Media information contact:
Serco Nederland BV
Space Business Park
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31(0)71 401 6070
Fx: +31(0)71 407 4014

www.serco.com

Darmstadt, February 24^th 2014– Sapienza Consulting GmbH, a company of the Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) Group has signed a competitive frame contract for Administrative & Management Support at ESOC  to provide manpower support to the Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Operations (D/HSO) in the domain “Administrative Support”.

The three years frame contract awarded, with an optional extension of a further two, will enable Sapienza Consulting GmbH to provide Manpower and Service support to ESA in Darmstadt, Germany.

In 2013 Sapienza Consulting Group opened its latest branch of Sapienza Consulting GmbH in Darmstadt in order to be able to better serve its growing presence and customer base within the German Space Sector. The new office is in close proximity to the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC). The branch is perfectly located to serve smoothly the new frame contract with ESOC.

The new address is:
Sapienza Consulting GmbH
ECOS Building
Robert-Bosch-Str. 20
64293 Darmstadt
Germany

Ph: +49(0)6151 3975305

Sapienza Consulting Group has established a steady growth throughout the last years. With this new branch, the Group has now offices in Germany, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom, France and Italy, and from these offices serves the European institutional and commercial space sector.

With this contract, Sapienza Consulting Group has positioned itself as a key manpower & service provider to ESA across its many establishments.

“Sapienza is not only one of the main manpower and service providers that support ESA/ESTEC programmes and corporate operations, but today we deliver our products and services to the whole spectrum of commercial and institutional organisations operating in the European space market. Thanks to our 20 years of experience and professional offerings, we were able to understand the needs of ESOC and to offer our quality services to them as well. We look forward to work with our ESOC customers, and to grow our workforce in Germany”, said Andrea Bennetti, at Sapienza Consulting Group.

About Sapienza Consulting (Holding BV) group

The Sapienza Consulting Group is a leading provider of space mission and project support through people, software and services. Since 1994 Sapienza has been a supplier to the European Space Agency as well as the other key players of the European institutional and commercial space sector. The Group now consists of strategically located offices in Germany, The Netherlands, Italy, The United Kingdom and France.

Follow us on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/sapienza-consulting

For Media information contact:
Sapienza Consulting Group
Space Business Park
Kapteynstraat 1
2201 BB
Noordwijk
The Netherlands

Ph: +31(0)71 407 6518
Fx: +31(0)71 407 6536

www.sapienzaconsulting.com

Please visit the ESA Homepage for further information on ESA www.esa.int

The ESA SSA Programme aims, ultimately, to enable Europe to autonomously detect, predict and assess the risk to life and property due to man-made space debris objects, reentries, in-orbit explosions and release events, in-orbit collisions, disruption of missions and satellite-based service capabilities, potential impacts of Near-Earth Objects (NEOs), and the effects of space weather phenomena on space- and ground-based infrastructure.

The objective of the SSA programme is to support Europe's independent utilisation of, and access to, space through the provision of timely and accurate information and data regarding the space environment, and particularly regarding hazards to infrastructure in orbit and on the ground.

In general, these hazards stem from possible collisions between objects in orbit, harmful space weather and potential strikes by natural objects, such as asteroids, that cross Earth’s orbit.

ESA's SSA programme is focusing on three main areas:

• Space Weather (SWE): monitoring conditions at the Sun and in the solar wind, and in Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere and thermosphere, that can affect spaceborne and ground-based infrastructure or endanger human life or health.
• Near-Earth Objects (NEO): detecting natural objects that can potentially impact Earth and cause damage
• Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST): watching for active and inactive satellites, discarded launch stages and fragmentation debris orbiting Earth.

Each of these activities is being developed as 'segment' (analogous to a satellite's traditional 'ground segment') in parallel sets of capabilities and services, supported by data centres and a Tasking Centre with contributions by existing European infrastructure.