OHB-System and ESA sign Galileo contract

The Director of the Galileo Programme and Navigation related activities, Mr René  Oosterlinck, and the CEO of OHB-System AG, Berry Smutny, signed the contract for the development and construction of 14 Galileo satellites. These signatures implement the decision made by the European Commission to nominate OHB-System as prime contractor for the 1st 14 satellites.

With a total volume of around EUR 566 million, the contract assigns to OHB-System the function of prime contractor for 14 satellites. OHB will also be responsible to develop and assemble the satellite bus. Under the terms of a subcontract, UK based company Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) will be developing and building the navigation payload and additionally supporting OHB in the final assembly of the satellites. The 14 satellites will be integrated in Bremen, with the first two scheduled for launch in late 2012.

Held at the ESA Space and Technology Center (ESTEC) in Nordwijk in the Netherlands, the ceremony marked the commencement of work on implementing the array for the European Galileo navigation system. Alongside OHB-System, Arianespace, France (launch services) and Thales Alenia Space, Italy (system support) have also signed contracts with ESA covering the packages assigned to them.  In accordance with the requirements defined by the European Commission, the Galileo initial operational capability is scheduled in 2014.

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