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French join in satellite project
CANNES, France, (UPI) -- France's Thales Alenia Space has joined forces with Ball Aerospace for initial research and design of a satellite altimeter for use by the U.S. Navy, the company said.
The signing of the preliminary phase contract for the altimeter for a new-generation GEOSAT Follow ON 2 satellite marks "the first time the U.S. Department of Defense has chosen a European company to supply a microwave altimeter," said Reynauld Seznec, president and chief executive officer of Thales Alenia Space.
"Our business win clearly confirms the global renown of our altimeter product line, which boasts a proven track record in space."
Thales is a joint venture between Thales and Finmeccanica of Italy. Thales holds 67 percent of the group. Ball Aerospace has its headquarters in Colorado.
A company news release states that Thales will develop a bi-frequency altimeter using technology derived from Poseidon altimeters aboard the Jason series of oceanography satellites.
The GFO-2 satellite will give increased, quality data on the world's oceans to the U.S. Navy.
The final contract for production of the altimeter is expected by the end of the year.
CANNES, France, (UPI) -- France's Thales Alenia Space has joined forces with Ball Aerospace for initial research and design of a satellite altimeter for use by the U.S. Navy, the company said.
The signing of the preliminary phase contract for the altimeter for a new-generation GEOSAT Follow ON 2 satellite marks "the first time the U.S. Department of Defense has chosen a European company to supply a microwave altimeter," said Reynauld Seznec, president and chief executive officer of Thales Alenia Space.
"Our business win clearly confirms the global renown of our altimeter product line, which boasts a proven track record in space."
Thales is a joint venture between Thales and Finmeccanica of Italy. Thales holds 67 percent of the group. Ball Aerospace has its headquarters in Colorado.
A company news release states that Thales will develop a bi-frequency altimeter using technology derived from Poseidon altimeters aboard the Jason series of oceanography satellites.
The GFO-2 satellite will give increased, quality data on the world's oceans to the U.S. Navy.
The final contract for production of the altimeter is expected by the end of the year.
