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Two spacecraft that will be used to monitor disaster areas across the world in the event of a catastrophe on the scale of the 2004 tsunami are being tested at the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.

NigeriaSat-2 and NX owned by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will form part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) when they are launched next year. DMC was set up by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (a satellite company that delivers operational space missions for a range of applications) and brings together a unique collaborative partnership of several nations to provide emergency images in the event of a disaster. High resolution photos can be taken on a daily basis at any given point on the globe as was the case during the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2007.

NigeriaSat-2 designed and built by Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) and based on their latest SSTL-300 platform* will deliver a high-resolution (2.5 metre) imaging system onboard a highly agile platform. NX, based on the SSTL-100 platform* and built by Nigerian engineers will provide 22-metre imaging, enhancing the capability currently provided by NigeriaSat-1*, launched in 2003. These latest satellites will provide not only continuity to Nigeria’s current space capability, but significantly advance the country’s space assets.

The testing of the spacecraft at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire involves simulating the vacuum conditions outside the Earth’s protective atmosphere where the air pressure is less than 0.01% of that on earth as well as the operating temperatures the spacecraft will experience while orbiting the Earth. There will also be multiple checks of the onboard systems to ensure everything is working as it should. "The testing of equipment destined for space is essential to ensure it operates successfully when it gets there and for as long as possible afterwards, to maximise the scientific and technical return" said Giles Case from STFC’s Space Science and Technology Department.

RAL has an international reputation for its space testing facilities, it has the largest thermal vacuum chamber in the UK and one of the reasons SSTL chose the laboratory for the testing was because of its capacity to accommodate two satellites and their Electronic Ground Support Equipment at the same time.

On completion of the tests at RAL, NigeriaSat-2 will undergo electro-magnetic compatibility (EMC) tests before both spacecraft are finally checked-out and stored at SSTL’s Guildford Facility, pending shipment to the launch site.

Notes to editors

NigeriaSat-2 and NX, owned by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) will form part of the Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) when they are launched next year. SSTL’s contract with NASRDA provided for the design and build of the NigeriaSat-2 spacecraft based on SSTL’s latest SSTL-300 platform. The satellite will deliver a high-resolution (2.5-metre) imaging system onboard a highly agile platform.

NX is based on the SSTL-100 platform and has been built by Nigerian engineers as part of a training and development programme conducted at SSTL’s Guildford facilities. The satellite will provide 22-metre imaging, enhancing the capability currently provided by NigeriaSat-1, launched in 2003. The latest satellites will provide not only continuity to Nigeria’s current space capability, but significantly advance the country’s space assets.

For more information on * SSTL-300 platform* SSTL-100 platform and * NigeriaSat-1 please visit http://www.sstl.co.uk

Images available: Please contact the press office for more details

Contacts:

Lucy Stone

Press Officer

STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Email: lucy.stone@stfc.ac.uk

Tel Number: 01235 445627

Further Information

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL)

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world's leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The company design, manufacture and operate high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with spacecraft, with 300 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments.

Since 1981 SSTL has launched 32 satellites as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers, changing the economics of space. Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by EADS Astrium NV.

http://www.sstl.co.uk

Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC)

The Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC) is a unique concept created and led by SSTL. Each member of the DMC consortium owns and operates its own satellite, whilst co-operating with other DMC members on satellite tasking and image capture to achieve a 24-hour revisit worldwide. The DMC currently has four operational satellites owned by a consortium comprising CNTS Algeria (AlSAT-1), NSRDA Nigeria (NigeriaSat-1), BLMIT PR China (Beijing-1) and BNSC (UK-DMC). Two more SSTL-built satellites will be launched into the DMC in July 2009: Deimos-1 for Spanish customer Deimos Space and UK-DMC2 funded by SSTL. A further two DMC satellites are under manufacture at SSTL for Nigeria and will be launched in 2010. The operation of the DMC is coordinated by DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii), a subsidiary of SSTL.

http://www.dmcii.com

Space Science and Technology Department (SSTD) The Space Science and Technology Department at the STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is home to the Space Test Chamber (STC) which provides a complete range of services offering vacuum, vacuum bake out, thermal vacuum and thermal calibration testing. The STC has the capability of using its independently thermally-controlled plates to create different thermal environments within the same chamber. This facility is located within a large temperature controlled class 10,000 clean room complex with localised areas at class 100 levels of cleanliness.

http://www.sstd.rl.ac.uk/

Science and Technology Facilities Council The Science and Technology Facilities Council ensures the UK retains its leading place on the world stage by delivering world-class science; accessing and hosting international facilities; developing innovative technologies; and increasing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange partnerships.

The Council has a broad science portfolio including Astronomy, Particle Physics, Particle Astrophysics, Nuclear Physics, Space Science, Synchrotron Radiation, Neutron Sources and High Power Lasers. In addition the Council manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories:

- The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire

- The Daresbury Laboratory, Cheshire

- The UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh

The Council gives researchers access to world-class facilities and funds the UK membership of international bodies such as the European Laboratory for Particle Physics (CERN), the Institute Laue Langevin (ILL), European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), the European organisation for Astronomical Research in the Southern Hemisphere (ESO) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It also contributes money for the UK telescopes overseas on La Palma, Hawaii, Australia and in Chile, and the MERLIN/VLBI National Facility, which includes the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank Observatory.

The Council is a partner in the UK space programme, coordinated by the British National Space Centre.

Science and Technology Facilities Council Home Page