In a contract worth more than €4 M, Thales Alenia Space España, has provided Orbital Sciences Corp. with advanced telecommunications systems for Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) data for the Cygnus unmanned cargo resupply vehicle.

The contract covers the design, manufacturing, and supply for three TTC telecommunication systems in spread spectrum technology for the establishment of telecommunications links through the Tracking Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) network. Thales’ systems will be installed in the first three Cygnus vehicles.

Thales Alenia Space España is a leading global supplier with a strong presence in the field of data telecommunications systems for both the European ATV and the Japanese HTV resupply vehicles. It is the only European supplier of TTC telecommunications systems compatible with TDRSS satellites and validated by NASA.

Juan Garcés de Marcilla, President and CEO of Thales Alenia Space España, said, "I am very pleased with the delivery of the communications systems to Orbital Sciences Corp. for its first Cygnus vehicle, seeing as this will encourage more collaboration between the companies and strengthen our leadership in telecommunications systems for space infrastructures and spacecrafts." He stressed that, "the flexibility of this product will serve all types of vehicles and launchers as it allows communication with the ground through various satellite systems."