Antwerp Space triples the download capacity of the International Space Station
Antwerp Space triples the download capacity of the International Space Station
Hardware for the International Space Station
Antwerp/Virginia, 15 February 2020 – Today the Antwerp Space modem will be launched on an Antares rocket of Northrop Grumman from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The spacecraft is loaded with crew supplies and hardware for the International Space Station (ISS).
The advanced ARGO modem, developed by Antwerp Space, uses a high-performing encoding technology for the very first time in Europe. This modem will enable faster communication from the ISS to Earth via the new European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS). The innovative Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)-based design allows an in-flight reconfiguration of the modem and gives a higher flexibility for different communication demands. The modem has been integrated within the MDA Corporation Ka-band Data Relay terminal that will be mounted on the ESA Columbus module of the ISS in April.
For Antwerp Space the launch and operation of the ARGO Modem marks an additional success as a manufacturer of leading edge satellite communication equipment. “We look forward to applying this new modem technology on a global scale in the future, addressing the institutional and commercial market”, said Koen Puimège, Managing Director of Antwerp Space.
About Antwerp Space:
Antwerp Space, a member of the OHB Group and belonging to OHB’s Space Systems Business Unit, develops systems and equipment for European space programs and commercial space applications worldwide. Antwerp Space provides expertise and system solutions for broadband access systems via satellites, navigation- and radar solutions and products for scientific, exploration and telecommunication missions.
Contact Antwerp Space:
Vanessa Peeters
Corporate Communications
Phone: +32 (0) 3 829 50 07
E-Mail: vanessa.peeters@antwerpspace.be
www.antwerpspace.be
Contact OHB:
Günther Hörbst
Corporate Communications
Phone: +49 (0) 421 2020 620
E-Mail: pr@ohb.de
www.ohb.de
Another successful edition of the Belgian Space Gathering
Another successful edition of the Belgian Space Gathering
Belgian space community
A new successful edition of the Belgian Space Gathering on January the 16th, where the entire Belgian space community raised a toast and exchanged thoughts on the challenges of 2020.
The Belgian Space Gathering, the annual reception organized by Antwerp Space, where policy makers, senior scientists and captains of industry meet in an informal setting to mark the New Year was held on the 16th of January. This year it was hosted at the glamorous and recently renovated Handelsbeurs, a historical heritage site which centuries ago was the economic heart of Antwerp. More than 100 people attended the event, including numerous high level officials representing the Flemish, Belgian federal, ESA and EU authorities involved in space. The breathtaking venue included outstanding gourmet food and a live duet by a Belgian award-winning violinist and her sister cellist, which all contributed to make this event a real success, praised by the many participants.
A very important topic discussed that evening was the successful outcome of the ESA ministerial council held in November 2019. The ESA budget for mandatory activities has increased for the first time since 1995. A new set of programs in all domains was funded. Space for Europe is of major importance and the 22 member states have never invested so much in it. Belgium has invested 816 million EUR, more than twice the relative economic weight of Belgium in Europe. An investment nearly equal to the Spanish budget.
This year the event was another great opportunity to network and discuss ideas. Compared to other fields of economic activity, the Belgian space sector is relatively modest in size. Therefore, it is imperative for Belgian companies to bundle their forces in space business.
ExoMars 2020: LaRa will be part of the trip
ExoMars 2020: LaRa will be part of the trip
Final inspection of LaRa
Brussels, 7 November 2019 – The Belgian instrument LaRa (Lander Radioscience) is accepted for integration on the Kazachok platform of the ExoMars 2020 mission.
The final inspection of LaRa was performed end of July at the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IKI). Representatives of various international organizations attended this event. In particular, Véronique Dehant, LaRa’s Project Manager (PI), and her Deputy PI Sébastien Le Maistre of the Royal Observatory of Belgium, along with Lieven Thomassen, representative of Antwerp Space, the Belgian instrument Prime Contractor, were present at this crucial moment. They were accompanied by Vaclav Valenta, ESA’s Technical Officer in the PRODEX programme (Scientific Experiment Development Programme), Russian mission experts, as well as staff members of IKI and TsNIIMash (Russian Space Research Institute).
This inspection included electrical and mechanical compatibility tests with the Russian platform. The tests were realized in a sterile environment to prevent contamination of Mars’ surface with biological traces from Earth. On November 7, the acceptance was pronounced, based on the test results during the Test Review Board (TRB). A graduation, in a way. “This is a wonderful achievement, because LaRa is the result of many years dedicated work!”, says Véronique Dehant.
The transponder part of the instrument was developed, produced and tested by Antwerp Space and the antennas by UCLouvain. LaRa is ready for integration on the Russian Kazachok platform. The rocket launch date to Mars is planned in July 2020.
The LaRa instrument in a nutshell
LaRa consists of an electronic box (a coherent transponder) and three antennas: a receiving antenna and two transmitting antennas. Its purpose is to measure the rotational behavior of Mars. This measurement will allow to extract the physical properties of the interior of the red planet, in particular its core. The LaRa scientific team is looking forward to receive data from this instrument during its operation on the surface of Mars!
Belgium, through the Belgian Federal Science Policy (BELSPO), is funding the LaRa mission with the support of the ESA PRODEX programme.
About the Royal Observatory of Belgium:
The Royal Observatory of Belgium (ROB) is a federal scientific research institute that falls under the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO). Researchers of the ROB study as well the Earth, the Sun as other bodies of the near and far universe. Science disciplines of ROB are astronomy, astrophysics, planetology, geophysics, seismology, gravimetry, spatial geodesy and solar physics. ROB also manages the Planetarium at the Heysel site.
About Antwerp Space:
Antwerp Space N.V., a subsidiary of listed technology group OHB SE (ISIN DE0005936124), is part of OHBs Business Unit Space Systems and provides expertise as well as system solutions for European space programs and commercial space applications worldwide. Antwerp Space develops systems and satellite equipment, satellite ground control stations for the reception of data from observation satellites and for the control of spacecrafts, as well as test systems used during the integration of satellites.
Contacts science:
Véronique Dehant (FR)
Phone: +32 (0) 2 373 02 66
E-Mail: v.dehant@oma.be
Tim Van Hoolst (NL)
Phone: +32 (0) 2 373 06 68
E-Mail:t.vanhoolst@oma.be
www.astro.oma.be
Contact ROB:
Lê Binh San PHAM
Phone: +32 (0) 2 373 03 03
E-Mail: lbspham@oma.be
www.astro.oma.be
Contact Antwerp Space:
Vanessa Peeters
Phone: +32 (0) 3 829 50 07
E-Mail: vanessa.peeters@antwerpspace.be
www.antwerpspace.be
7th Space Dinner @ Planetarium Brussels
7th Space Dinner @ Planetarium Brussels
New space, new opportunities?
Wednesday 13th of March, beSpace organizes their 7th Space Dinner at the Planetarium Brussels. The theme of this year’s Space Dinner is New Space, New Opportunities? Two inspiring presentations, followed by a free planetarium show and walking dinner. For the third time they will hand out the beSPACE Awards for Personality of the Year and Team of the year. The perfect opportunity to network with other space enthusiasts!
If you don’t know what a Space Dinner is you can check out this post about last year’s edition.
Facebook event with free registration: right here!
As in previous years, Antwerp Space is sponsoring this event. Be sure to pay us a visit at the career corner during the walking dinner!
Antwerp Space @ Job fair De Nayer
Antwerp Space @ Job fair De Nayer
Looking for your first real job?
As in previous years, Thomas More and KU Leuven are organising the Technology, ICT Engineering & Management job fair at Campus De Nayer. Looking for your first real job? Or still in need for a thesis subject? Come and visit Antwerp Space at booth 46 for an interesting career in space!
More information about the yearly job fair can be found on the website of KU Leuven and Thomas More.
Antwerp Space @ VTK Job fair Brabanthal Leuven
Antwerp Space @ VTK Job fair Brabanthal Leuven
Largest recruitment fair for engineers
March 1st 2019, VTK organises the VTK Jobfair in the Brabanthal Leuven. It is the largest recruitment fair for engineers in the BeNeLux. Graduating students attend the Jobfair with high hopes to meet their future employer. First Master students are able to look for possible internship offers or thesis subjects and will discover the broad range of career options in different companies. Be sure to pay us a visit for an interesting career in space!
More information can be found on jobfair.vtk.be.
VTK Job fair ICC Gent 2019
Antwerp Space @ VTK Job fair ICC Gent
Maybe you are looking for a thesis subject
The second semester is just around the corner, time to look to the bright future after those exams. Maybe you are looking for a thesis subject, or the time has come to look for your first real job! Come and see us at the VTK job fair for an interesting career in space!
Visit the web page of the VTK job fair for more information.
Antwerp Space @ Talent forum job fair
Antwerp Space @ Talent forum job fair
Annual job and info fair
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Job Fair VUB 2019
IR Job Fair @ VUB
IR Job Fair 2019, held at the VUB.
Today, Antwerp Space can be found at the IR Job Fair 2019, held at the VUB.
Organized by the Polytechnische Kring (PK), Brussels Engineering Alumni (BrEA) and the VUB faculty of Engineering, the IR Job Fair aims to bring graduate students closer to the corporate world and help them establish contact with potential future employers.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
Be sure to pay us a visit!
Belgian Space Gathering @ MAS in Antwerp
Belgian Space Gathering @ MAS in Antwerp
Belgian Space Gathering
The whole Belgian space community – industry, academy and policy makers – was present at the “Belgian Space Gathering” on January 17th. The venue for this event was the top floor of the famous MAS museum in Antwerp’s historical centre.
More than 100 people attended the event, including ESA directors Eric Morel and Franco Ongaro as well as numerous high level officials representing the Flemish, federal and EU authorities involved in space. The breath-taking view on Antwerp City, a live musical performance by a local award-winning soprano and outstanding gourmet food all contributed to make this event a real success, praised by the many participants.
It was fantastic to see how this evening evolved from a celebration for the start of the New Year to an opportunity to discuss, learn to know each other and confront ideas. Creating even stronger ties between all Belgian space actors. Compared to other fields of economic activity, the Belgian space sector is relatively modest in size. Therefore, it is imperative for Belgian companies to bundle their forces in space business. This will be especially true in 2019, when the federal government has to decide on both the level of its financial commitments for space as well as the programmes to which it wants to subscribe at the ESA ministerial council.
