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At the heart of the Arctic: a key partnership in the fight against climate change
Syrlinks, a Safran Electronics & Defense company, is heading for the Arctic with the recent delivery of a transmitter to OHB in Sweden, as part of the AWS ("Arctic Weather Satellite") project. This collaboration will help improving weather forecasting in this difficult-to-access region, a major challenge in the context of global warming.
Global warming is resulting in exceptional weather events... which are becoming less and less so. Improving our weather forecasts is therefore a major challenge, and Syrlinks, an expert in satellite communications, is an essential part of the solution.
For several years now, Syrlinks and OHB Sweden, a company specializing in low-orbit space missions, satellites and spacecraft subsystems, have been working closely together on the AWS ("Arctic Weather Satellite") project, which consists of a proto-flight-model (PFM) for a possible future constellation of microsatellites used to collect meteorological data in the Arctic region - where climate change is particularly sensitive.
Syrlinks' contribution: an essential radio frequency transmitter for data transfer
For this mission, Syrlinks is supplying its L-band radio frequency transmitter (EWC36). This equipment will enable data to be transmitted from the sky to the ground in two models:
- Stored data: the data acquired by the instruments during each orbit will be sent to the ground station for subsequent analysis.
- Live data transmission: this feature enables data to be transferred in real time to ground-based weather stations, providing information for weather forecasting.
The transmitter, a "Proto Flight Model", underwent a battery of tests to verify its performance (temperature, vacuum, mechanical, electromagnetic) before delivery. The 4W RF channel is based on a low-power LNA amplifier chain, optimizing efficiency and conserving the satellite's on-board power.
"During the project, our technical and production teams adapted to meet OHB Sweden's needs in terms of deadlines and technical constraints. As the supplier of the satellite Payload data transmitter , we will be making a major contribution to our understanding of climate issues", said Pierre Emmanuel Rescan, project manager at Syrlinks.
OHB Sweden expressed its great satisfaction with the exchange and punctual delivery of Syrlinks products. A real success story that highlights the professionalism of our teams.
Next steps
OHB Sweden is currently integrating the transmitter into the satellite, with the support of Syrlinks teams, in order to validate this first prototype. A constellation of satellites is due to emerge from this project, including EWC36. This will bring new challenges, such as the management of component obsolescence constraints and the continuous improvement of our manufacturing and testing processes, to better meet our customer's expectations.
The AWS Project at a glance
This is a proto-flight-model (PFM) for a possible future constellation of microsatellites designed to collect data on meteorological trends in the Arctic region. In a context where the demand for accurate and regular weather forecasts is constantly increasing, this mission is of crucial importance. AWS will be positioned in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and is scheduled for a five-year mission. The PFM will be launched mid 2024, and will serve as a precursor to the deployment of similar satellites to monitor other regions of the globe. This project is being carried out under the aegis of the European Space Agency (ESA).
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