Teleca ensures quality of the computer onboard Europe's first spacecraft

Teleca ensures quality of the computer onboard Europe's first spacecraft. Teleca has been assigned by the Swedish Space Corporation to manage the project to complete the production of the systems unit for Europe's first space probe, the SMART-1. "The choice of Teleca is based on positive experiences from earlier assignments of the same nature," says Peter Rathsman, project manager for SMART-1 at the Swedish Space Corporation. For Teleca, the assignment comprises project management, quality assurance, coordination, resource planning and outsourcing of production for the flight version of the systems unit. The systems unit, which has been developed by the Swedish Space Corporation, controls data management onboard the space probe. "The project focuses on extreme accuracy and security. Once the moon probe has been launched, there will be no room for error or failure. Measures include building in double systems," explains Mikael Schalin, project manager at subsidiary company, Teleca System Design. Teleca also previously participated in the definition phase of the project, which began in 1998. At that stage, Teleca was responsible for mechanical studies and the development of hardware. The Swedish Space Corporation bears the primary responsibility for the development of the European Space Agency's (ESA) SMART-1 moon probe, which is scheduled for completion in December 2002. SMART-1 will test an electrical rocket engine, which will be used for future journeys further into the solar system. The spacecraft will also carry cameras and other equipment for the exploration of the lunar surface, where it is believed that water may exist in the form of ice. In a comment, the President of the Swedish Space Corporation, Claes- Göran Borg, says that SMART-1 represents a major step for the Swedish space industry which, for the first time, has been entrusted with the responsibility for the systems of a complete spacecraft by the ESA. SMART stands for "Small Missions for Advanced Research and Technology" and is part of the ESA's space research program that includes projects testing technologies critical for larger projects. For further information, contact: * Thomas Pantzar, Executive Vice President, Teleca AB, telephone +46 31- 744 80 10, mobile +46 703-79 18 30 * Mikael Schalin, project manager, Teleca System Design AB, telephone +46 8-553 910 00, mobile +46 703-79 06 90. About Teleca Teleca is one of Europe's leading high-end consulting groups focused on new technology and R&D. The group's business concept is to strengthen its customers' market positions and times to market. This is achieved by providing professional teams with specialist technical expertise, working in partnership with development-intensive companies worldwide. The group has more than 2,200 employees in 13 countries, with a strong presence in the Nordic region, UK and France. Teleca is quoted on the Attract40 list of Stockholmsbörsen (Stockholm stock exchange). For more information please visit www.teleca.com. ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/21/20020321BIT00370/wkr0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2002/03/21/20020321BIT00370/wkr0002.pdf