The European Space Agency (ESA) has recently signed a contract with a consortium led by OHB-System (D) for the development and procurement of the Small GEO satellite platform.
This platform, which is property of ESA, will be capable of carrying a payload of about 300 kg with power consumption up to 3 kW. The Small GEO platform Proto-Flight Model (PFM) will be ready for launch in 2011. This platform is provided for free by ESA to the chosen Operator while this one takes the risk to embark an operational payload on board a new platform and commits to operate the Small GEO satellite for at least three years and provide ESA with the in orbit tests results of the new platform. Additionally, ESA offers possible access to R&D funding to cover part of the non-recurring costs of the payloads and associated communication system.
Small GEO provides the opportunity to stimulate the development of new services and applications and ESA would favour those Operators who intend to fly innovative payloads, which would permit the new services to be introduced and/or become commercially viable.
After receiving an unsolicited proposal from an operator's consortium, ESA is now assessing whether other private entities are willing and able to offer similar conditions.
Should you be interested in the opportunity offered by the Small GEO mission, please refer to the linked call for interest. Expressions of interest must be expressed in writing, following the requirements of the call for interest, by 11 July 2007.
