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Thales Alenia Space España to supply X and S-band equipment for three Sentinel satellites

04 November 2008

Cannes, November 4, 2008 - Thales Alenia Space announced today that its Spanish subsidiary Thales Alenia Space España has been chosen to supply the X-band communication subsystems and the S-band TT&C transponders for the first three Sentinel observation satellites in the European Space Agency's Kopernikus program (formerly known as GMES - Global Monitoring for Environment and Security.)

The Sentinel satellites are being developed as part of the Space Component of the Kopernikus program, which is being co-funded by the European Commission. Thales Alenia Space Italy and France are prime contractors for the Sentinel 1 and 3 satellites, respectively, while Astrium is in charge of Sentinel 2.

As prime contractor for the X-band communication subsystem (TXA), Thales Alenia Space España leads a consortium including Thales Alenia Space France and Belgian companies. They are responsible for the specification, design, assembly, integration and testing (AIT), and delivery of this assembly for the Sentinel 1, 2 and 3 satellite families, as well as for the three recurrent ones.

Thales Alenia Space's Spanish subsidiary will also develop, manufacture and supply the S-band TT&C (telemetry, tracking and command) transponders for the three Sentinel satellites.

The X-band subsystem transmits high data volumes from observation satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) to ground stations. The downlink data rate, based on an innovative arrangement of two frequency-multiplexed RF channels, exceeds 600 Mbps.

The S-band TT&C transponders allow Earth stations to control and communicate with the satellite.

Angel Post, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Alenia Space España, said: "We are very proud of our selection, which further strengthens our position as a supplier of high-tech spaceborne equipment, as well as in the AIT segment. At the same time, this contract bolsters our European leadership in advanced telecom subsystems and transponders."

About Thales Alenia Space
Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Finmeccanica (33%), is the European leader in satellite systems and at the forefront of orbital infrastructures. Together with Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space forms a Space Alliance between the two groups. Thales Alenia Space is the global benchmark in spaceborne telecoms, radar and optical Earth observation, defense, security, navigation and science applications. The company has 7,200 employees and operates 11 industrial facilities in France, Italy, Spain and Belgium.www.thalesaleniaspace.com

About Thales Alenia Space España
Thales Alenia Space España, the Spanish subsidiary of Thales Alenia Space, is a world leader in S-band TT&C subsystems, a recognized supplier of passive RF equipment and a pioneer in onboard processing components and subsystems. It has already contributed to more than 100 communication, optical and radar Earth observation, science and navigation satellite programs, as well as space infrastructures.