Fincantieri NexTech’s subsidiary IDS (Ingegneria Dei Sistemi) together with C-CORE, have been selected to develop and install the P-band Biomass Calibration Transponder (BCT) in New Norcia, Australia. This activity is part of the contract awarded to Airbus Defence and Space Ltd. by the European Space Agency (ESA) to build its Biomass satellite for the next Earth Explorer mission.
The ESA Biomass mission will provide crucial information about the state of our forests and how they are changing. The data will be used to better understand the role of forests in the carbon cycle. Biomass will also provide essential support to the UN on the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation.
The calibration transponder will receive signals from the satellite and transmit a reference signal to ensure the accurate calibration of the first space-borne P-band synthetic aperture radar in order to deliver exceptionally accurate maps of tropical, temperate, and boreal forest biomass, not obtainable by ground measurement techniques.
The BCT antenna, in charge of IDS, has been set up as a passive dual-linear polarized planar array by assembling four antenna segments and responds to a number of challenging RF requirements in terms of Gain, SLL, XPD, channels imbalance, electrical boresight stability, and others. In addition, the feature of the antenna to be large-sized but lightweight (about 5 m in diameter and weighing around 600 kg) has dramatically increased the challenges in complying with the RF requirements while maintaining accurate manufacturing, modularity, reliability, and maneuverability.
This was the most demanding multi-disciplinary antenna design and development activity ever faced in IDS, requiring tight collaboration among electromagnetic, mechanical, measurement, and logistic functions and severe program control.
The BCT antenna has been measured in the ESA HERTZ facility between March and April 2022, with results that showed the required performances have been successfully verified.
The Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD has signed a contract worth about $80 million with Elbit Systems for the development…
As part of the Italy-Saudi Arabia institutional round table, ELT Group has signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with SAMI Advanced…
Leonardo, Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Investment (MISA), and General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding…
Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft to 86 customers around the world in 2024. The commercial aircraft business registered 878 gross…
The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has concluded the Service Life Extension Programme (SLEP) for its fleet of Sukhoi Su-30MKM…
Kongsberg Maritime has secured a contract to deliver propulsion and manoeuvring systems for two new KCR-70 Fast Attack Craft (FAC)…
Representatives from KNDS Deutschland, KNDS France, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Thales gathered in Paris to formalise the creation of the "MGCS…
ST Engineering's Commercial Aerospace business has signed a five-year CFM LEAP engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) contract with new…
Embraer is working with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) to expand the use of renewable energy at its U.S.…
The use of the combat-proven Rafael Spyder air defence system in the ongoing war in Israel has created interest in…
The delivery of Elbit Systems PULS artillery systems and the company's Hermes -900 UAV to Serbia is expected to begin…
Indonesian private defence firm PT Sentra Surya Ekajaya (PT SSE) has introduced a new version of its P2 Tiger 4×4…
Schiebel has been awarded a new multi-year contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide services using the…
BlackSky Technology Inc. has shipped its first Gen-3 satellite to launch provider Rocket Lab. The satellite is scheduled to be…
SITA and Cathay Pacific have entered a new agreement aimed at significantly boosting network bandwidth at Cathay Pacific’s airports. The…
Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $270 million contract by the U.S. Air Force to integrate next-generation infrared defensive sensors…
Malaysia Airlines, in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM), has launched a Private Terminal Transfer Service aimed at providing seamless and…
Fly Jaya, a new entrant in Indonesia’s aviation industry operated by PT Surya Mataram Nusantara, is set to launch domestic…
The first Austrian Airlines Boeing 777-200ER equipped with AeroSHARK surface technology has successfully completed its maiden flight. The long-haul aircraft…
Vietnam and South Korea are reportedly finalising an agreement for the acquisition of 20 K-9 Thunder self-propelled howitzers (SPH) for…
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is anticipating the final delivery of three AT-6TH Wolverine light attack aircraft by April…
Ukraine's largest airline, SkyUp Airlines, has successfully transitioned to IBS Software's iFly Res Passenger Services System (PSS) to support the…
Experia Events has announced the confirmed exhibitors for the inaugural Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx), which will take…
Aonic, a Malaysian drone service provider and manufacturer, has been awarded the Unmanned Aerial Work Certificate (UAWC) by the Civil…
Eve Air Mobility (Eve) has partnered with JetSetGo, a private aircraft charter and fractional ownership company based in New Delhi,…
L3Harris Technologies has received a contract from BAE Systems Maritime Australia for the Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) on the…
In a response to numerous instances of Global Positioning System (GPS) denial in the war that broke out on Oct.…
Airbus Defence and Space, in collaboration with HENSOLDT, is upgrading the German Airborne Weapon Systems Electronic Warfare Centre with the…
Qantas Airways Limited has officially become a member of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA), as announced by the…
Indra Group’s Board of Directors has appointed Ángel Escribano Ruiz as its new Executive Chairman. This decision was made during…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.