Neptec UK Announces Proba-3 Space Contract

Harwell, England (ots/PRNewswire) - HAMS technology allows precise
formation flying in space - small satellites will be able to join
together as one

Neptec UK Limited has signed a contract with Sener of Spain for the
development and delivery of Neptec's High Accuracy Metrology System
(HAMS) for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Proba 3 satellite
mission, tentatively scheduled to launch in late 2018.

This metrology system is an international collaboration with Neptec
UK Limited as the prime contractor, and sub-contracts with Micos of
Switzerland for the optical components and Neptec Canada. Sener of
Spain is the prime contractor for the full Proba 3 satellite mission.
The funding sources for the HAMS are: UK Space Agency, Swiss Space
Office and the Canadian Space Agency.

Proba-3 is the world's first precision formation flying mission for
satellites. The mission consists of two satellites, weighing 250kg
and 200kg, which by precise formation flying will become a virtually
fixed structure in space. While the distance between two satellites
is normally several kilometers, these satellites will stay 150 meters
apart during formation flying maneuvers and maintain their positions
to micrometer accuracy. The Neptec HAMS metrology system will ensure
that the distance accuracy is maintained.

The primary purpose of the mission is that one satellite will block
the rays of the sun while the second satellite will study the sun's
corona using an eclipsing mechanism. This creates conditions that are
normally only viewed during a solar eclipse. This will be the closest
view of the corona that has ever been achieved.

The potential long-term benefit of the Neptec HAMS technology to
future space missions is that small satellites could be launched from
earth independently and then joined by HAMS technology in space to
form larger structures or platforms such as very large telescopes.
Precision formation flying of satellites could become a "game
changer" for future structures in space.

"We are very proud to be part of such an exciting mission and look
forward to working with our many international partners from our base
in the UK," said Mike Kearns, Managing Director of Neptec UK.

Franco Ongaro, Director of Technical and Quality Management for ESA
added, "With the Proba 3 project, a brand new industrial
collaboration has been set up between Neptec UK and Micos
(Switzerland) to provide the high-accuracy metrology system which is
a very advanced technology at the heart of the Proba 3 Formation
Flying System."

About Neptec (UK)  http://www.neptecuk.com

Neptec UK was established in Harwell, Oxfordshire in October 2015 and
is part of the Neptec Group of companies. It's mission in the UK is
to become the recognized leader in the UK of space qualified laser
based sensors and IR cameras.

About Micos (Switzerland) http://www.micos.ch

Micos Engineering GmbH is an advanced engineering company that
focuses on optical instrumentation for the European space market.
They deliver (pre-) design, engineering, AIT (assembly, integration
and testing) and services for optical measurement systems.

About Sener (Spain) http://www.sener.es

Sener (Spain) develops components and systems for the flight segment
in its three areas of activity: precision mechanisms, guidance,
navigation and control (GNC) systems and optical payloads.

About UK Space Agency
http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-space-agency /
info@ukspaceagency.bis.gsi.gov.uk

The UK Space Agency is responsible for all strategic decisions on the
UK civil space programme and provides a clear, single voice for UK
space ambitions.

About European Space Agency http://www.esa.int

The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to space. Its
mission is to shape the development of Europe's space capability and
ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the
citizens of Europe and the world.

About Canadian Space Agency http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca

The Canadian Space Agency is committed to leading the development and
application of space knowledge for the benefit of Canadians and
humanity.

For additional information: 
Mike Kearns 
Managing Director 
Neptec UK 
+1-44-1235-838-544 
mkearns@neptec.com 

ORIGINAL APA-OTS TEXT - THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PRESS RELEASE IS SUBJECT TO THE EXCLUSIVE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ISSUER | PRN

print