Swedish Space Corporation joins European megaconstellation project UN:IO
Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) joins European space consortium UN:IO targeted at creating an independent European constellation of satellites for commercial and institutional communication channels. As a vital part of the infrastructure, SSC adds its significant heritage from satellite communications services as well as one of the world’s leading ground station networks. The megaconstellation is set to be fully operational by 2025, supported by the European Commission who picked UN:IO out of the 10 consortia that applied.
The European Commission will support the UN:IO consortium with 1.4 MEUR for the preparations of critical infrastructure that will ensure secure broadband connectivity for mass communication and large data quantities.
“Now begins the work for SSC and the other 13 member organizations to close the gap between Europe and US and China, countries which have already largely realized their constellations of communications satellites. The megaconstellation will ensure independent European development within Earth observation, positioning and navigation, communications and further exploration of space – ultimately securing sustainable societal development,” says Stefan Gardefjord, CEO at SSC.
“This consortium is Europe's technological declaration of independence. We have everything we need here in Europe, we just need to combine and activate it highly efficiently. UN:IO is ideally prepared for this task. Our flexibility, speed and cost-effectiveness, together with the innovative strength of Europe’s technological avantgarde, is what forms the European space industry," says Walter Ballheimer, spokesperson for UN:IO and Managing Director of Reflex Aerospace.
In the coming six months, the consortium will present its technical solutions to the EU, followed by further operational infrastructure to be fully implemented by 2025. For more technical information, see the press release published by Reflex Aerospace.
For more information please contact:
Philip Ohlsson, Head of Communications, Swedish Space Corporation, SSC
phone: +46 (0)70-721 70 26, mail: philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
About SSC: Swedish Space Corporation, SSC, helps space organizations, companies, other commercial actors and research institutes to get access to space. SSC's products and services enable successful space projects within earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Through our more than 600 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services. Through our local presence on all continents, we help our customers with specific solutions in space systems, subsystems, instruments, technology and other related services. Via its data analytics subsidiary GlobalTrust, SSC uses the power of satellites to empower organizations, governments and companies worldwide to act sustainably for a better world. Space data is used to develop and deliver sustainability strategies by embedding ethical practices into the future of decision making. www.sscspace.com, www.globaltrustgrp.com
