SSTL has been called in to work with the European Space Agency (ESA). In another effort to kick-start an affordable access to space for the smaller space customer, ESA has launched the Small Mission Opportunities initiative.
ESA wants to see European industry establishing a consortium to build and launch 200-600kg satellites - using non-European launchers, probably Russian. No small European launchers are likely to be developed for at least five years.
The agency has awarded $500,000 contracts to competing consortia, Matra Marconi Space (with SSTL as a team member) and BPD Difesa e Spazio.
ESA hopes that, once a consortium has been selected, it can order ten spacecraft. Their launches to 2000, worth $500 million, and to be used for science, communications and Earth observation based on a standard spacecraft bus which could then be commercialised, represent the first time that ESA has been involved in such an initiative. It will simply be a commercial customer, rather than procuring a satellite it has designed.
ESA is seen as kick-starting the market, and introducing a new trend of manufacturer-generated market develop- ment. SSTL has been doing this for years, however.
Source: Flight International