Company is tapped to provide primary payload for the pathfinder mission; collect and deliver reliable and accurate weather data through advanced instrumentation
Farnborough, England, Farnborough International Airshow, July 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orbital Micro Systems (OMS), a leader in space system applications, advanced instrumentation for small satellite missions, and weather intelligence analytics, has been selected to provide the pathfinder mission payload for the initial launch of the UK Spaceflight Programme. The announcement was made at the Farnborough International Airshow in England. The UK Spaceflight Programme is an innovative initiative to create a world-leading commercial launch market that grows the UK economy through regular, reliable, and responsible access to space.
Orbital Micro Systems, in partnership with both Lockheed Martin and other UK-based firms, will create and fly a UK-built pathfinder spacecraft for an initial launch planned for the early 2020s. The mission payload will include OMS’s miniaturized microwave radiometer instrument that provides highly accurate temperature, humidity, and precipitation data that will add to the vast array of weather observations taken every day.
“We are honored to participate in this historic initiative, and look forward to working with such innovative leaders in space launch, control, and communications in the UK’s increasingly robust space technology community,” said William Hosack, chief executive officer of OMS. “This project reinforces Orbital Micro Systems’ place in this industry as an innovator of flexible, business-driven space-based observation and data collection which will lead to more frequent and accurate weather observations that will greatly improve safety, security, and prosperity around the globe.”
OMS has also spearheaded the formation of a consortium of business and academic data science and analytics experts from the UK and the US to create a commercial entity that will deliver highly accurate satellite-based analytics-ready weather data for commercial use. Targeting general availability in the first quarter of 2019, the consortium will offer both raw and pre-processed data to businesses and government agencies worldwide.
“The United Kingdom has a wealth of resources: well-funded facilities, an educated and inventive workforce, and strong government support that positions the country as a market leader in the growing space economy,” noted Hosack. “OMS is proud to be a part of this growth, and we are delighted to join forces with our partners to deliver solutions whose profound benefits will inspire growth in economies and societies around the world.”
For more information about Orbital Micro Systems please visit www.orbitalmicro.com
About Orbital Micro Systems
Orbital Micro Systems (OMS) specializes in the development and delivery of technology and data for space applications. With broad expertise in applied science, weather science and earth observation, instrumentation development, data science, space operations, and program delivery, OMS is positioned to deliver innovation to many areas of the aerospace sector. For more information about OMS, please visit www.orbitalmicro.com
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