PARIS --- The Spot 5 satellite was launched by an Ariane 4 on May 3, 2002 from the Guyana Space Center, in Kourou, French Guyana. The Spot Earth observation system was designed by CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales) and is produced by France in conjunction with Belgium and Sweden. Alcatel Space is a key partner in the construction of the satellite with a 45% stake.
Alcatel Space played a major role in the construction of the satellite platform by building the structural and thermal subsystems. It also helped develop the solar array, supplied the magnetic bearing momentum wheels, parts of the electrical power supply, the information processing architecture, pyrotechnics control unit and S-band transponders.
Alcatel Space was also prime contractor for the equipment bay, which group's digital data processing and transmission to the ground. On the two HRG (High Resolution Geometric) instruments, Alcatel Space produced the utilities and the detection system, and supplied the time base and video electronics.
Alcatel Space built the Vegetation 2 payload, which will carry on the mission of Vegetation 1, for which Alcatel was also prime contractor on the Spot 4 satellite launched in March 1998. Vegetation 2 is designed to provide daily global coverage at 1km resolution in two visible bandwidths and two infrared bandwidth, all co-registered. Vegetation 2 has a resolution of 1 kilometer, and covers a ground swath of 2,250 km, allowing it to virtually cover the entire planet in a single day.
Alcatel plants of Cannes, Toulouse and Valence were all involved in the construction of Spot 5, along with three European subsidiaries, which supply components for the platform, the vehicle equipment bay and the two HRG instruments.
"The launch of Spot 5 makes this year a milestone in our Earth observation activities", said Pascale Sourisse, Alcatel Space Chairman and CEO. "Initial data from the Jason and Envisat satellites already show that Alcatel Space understands the enabling technologies behind multispectral and very-high-resolution optical observation, as well as radar observation systems. In short, we have the 'nose to tail' capabilities needed to take a major role in tomorrow's Earth observation and environmental management projects."
Alcatel Space ranks among the world's leading space systems prime contractors. Leveraging its dual expertise in civil and military applications, Alcatel Space develops satellite technology solutions for telecommunications, navigation, optical and radar observation, meteorology, and scientific applications. The company is also Europe's number one prime contractor for Earth observation, meteorology and navigation ground segments, as well as space systems operations. A fully owned subsidiary of Alcatel (100%), Alcatel Space generated 2001 revenues of 1.4 billion Euros and has 6,000 employees.
Alcatel designs, develops and builds innovative and competitive communications networks, enabling carriers, service providers and enterprises to deliver any type of content, such as voice, data and multimedia, to any type of consumer, anywhere in the world. Relying on its leading and comprehensive products and solutions portfolio, stretching from end-to-end optical infrastructures, fixed and mobile networks to broadband access, Alcatel's customers can focus on optimizing their service offerings and revenue streams. With sales of Euro 25 billion in 2001 and 99,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries.
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Spot 5 In Orbit - Alcatel Space Responsible For Nearly Half Of New Earth Observation Satellite
