Jena-Optronik GmbH has won another major order from the aerospace industry. A contract valued in the double figure million range for the supply of twelve rendezvous sensors for a total of six space transporters has been signed today in Jena by the Jenoptik subsidiary Jena-Optronik and EADS SPACE Transportation. The rendezvous sensors (rendezvous (French) = to meet) are based on a laser optic system and provide for the fully automated approach and docking of supply vehicles with the International Space Station ISS.
EADS SPACE Transportation, as a general contractor for the European supply vehicle ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle) puts its faith in the technology know-how from Jena for the development and manufacture of the complex rendezvous and docking sensors. Jena-Optronik GmbH had already successfully concluded a corresponding development contract. "With this successful development the Thuringia-based company is underlining its globally unique position in complex opto-electronic sensors for space travel" says Josef Kind, President of EADS SPACE Transportation.
The first two sensors had already been delivered in spring 2004 and will be launched on the first ATV transfer vehicle named "Jules Verne" in October 2005. For the subsequent years, for which the contract has been signed, there are plans for one supply flight per year. Each vehicle has two sensors from Jena on board.
The rendezvous sensor consists of several elements: the laser source and all the electronics are housed in the electronics box. Using optical fiber cables the laser will be directed to the optical head which will guide it to the target via a mirror assembly, recapture the reflected light and transmit it onwards for processing. The Russian module "Svesda" on the ISS with which the ATV will dock, contains special laser reflectors which will reflect the light of the eye-safe laser. The whole system operates from a distance of around 1,000 meters under even the most difficult conditions. This means for example that the electronics cannot be deceived by the sun even if it shines directly onto the receiver sensors. Except for its own laser beam, the device needs no illumination from the ISS whatsoever, it will even operate perfectly in complete darkness.
In addition to the European transfer vehicle the rendezvous sensor is also intended to be used in future on a Japanese transfer vehicle HTV - the Japanese counterpart to the ATV. The engineers at Jena are also working on an improved version of the device. One of the aims in this respect is to increase the range - an important basis for future missions such as for example the so-called on-orbit servicing. For this, an unmanned service satellite will dock with commercial satellites in order, amongst other things, to supply them with fuel and consequently extend their service life.
With the contract being signed today Jena-Optronik GmbH is continuing on its growth path, consequently winning its second major order in the double figure million range during the current financial year. In May this year Jena-Optronik GmbH had already been awarded a major contract to supply the image processing systems for the satellite-based earth observation system RapidEye. The latest order from EADS enables the company to once again demonstrate that it is one of the worlds' leading manufacturers of opto-electronic camera and sensor systems aerospace applications. Both major orders will contribute to the continuing growth of Jena-Optronik GmbH in the years ahead.
EADS SPACE Transportation is the European specialist for civil and military space transportation and manned spaceflight. EADS SPACE Transportation is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS SPACE. In 2003, EADS SPACE achieved a turnover of EUR 2.4 billion with a workforce of 12,000 people in Germany, France, Spain and the UK.
