Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo, has been awarded a €7 million contract by the European Space Agency (ESA) for the development of the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument for the Earth observation mission, Harmony. This is the tenth mission in ESA’s Earth Explorer series.
The contract marks an important milestone in the implementation of the SAR instrument, as Thales Alenia Space will lead a diverse European industrial consortium in designing, developing, and validating the SAR instruments in the C-band. The company will also be responsible for the C-band digital electronics and antennas that will be installed on both Harmony satellites. The launch of these satellites is scheduled to take place aboard a Vega C launch vehicle by 2029.
Harmony, along with the Sentinel-1 satellite from the Copernicus program, will provide unique data on ocean-ice-atmosphere interactions at an unprecedented resolution. This will allow for a deeper understanding of ocean heat exchanges, the triggering factors of extreme weather conditions, and the long-term impacts of climate change.
The mission will also shed light on the deformation and dynamics of rapidly changing ice cap edges, providing a better understanding of sea-level rise. Additionally, Harmony will measure small movements in the Earth’s crust caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity, contributing to risk monitoring efforts.
The development of the SAR instrument by Thales Alenia Space is a significant achievement for both the company and ESA. It highlights the importance of space technology in advancing our understanding of Earth’s climate and natural phenomena. With Harmony, scientists will have access to unprecedented data that will contribute to more accurate climate models and better risk management strategies.
Thales Alenia Space has a strong track record in developing advanced space systems and instruments. With this contract, the company reaffirms its position as a leader in the space industry and a key partner for ESA in its mission to explore and understand our planet.
The implementation of Harmony and the SAR instrument will pave the way for future advancements in Earth observation and climate research. As we continue to face the challenges of climate change and its impacts, the information gathered by Harmony will be crucial in informing policy decisions and mitigating the effects of global warming.
In conclusion, Thales Alenia Space’s contract with ESA for the development of the SAR instrument for the Harmony mission is a significant step forward in our quest to understand and protect our planet. With cutting-edge technology and international collaboration, we are poised to unlock new insights into Earth’s climate system and make more informed decisions for a sustainable future.