Thales Alenia Space Selected for Mars Ice Mapper Communications Development

Thales Alenia Space Selected for Mars Ice Mapper Communications Development ©NASA

(IN BRIEF) Thales Alenia Space has been contracted by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to develop the communications subsystem for the International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) mission. The mission aims to identify and measure water ice on Mars. Thales Alenia Space will design a multi-user communications system and develop an innovative Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) antenna for high-data-rate communications with ground stations. The company’s involvement highlights its expertise in satellite production and radar technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) ROME, 8-Mar-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales (EPA: HO), a French multinational company active in the aerospace, defence, transportation and security markets, announces that Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has been awarded a contract by the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to develop the communications subsystem for the pioneering International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) mission. This Phase B1 contract, valued at approximately €22 million, builds upon the successful completion of the Phase A award granted to Thales Alenia Space in 2021.

The I-MIM mission, a collaborative effort involving ASI, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), and NASA, aims to deploy a Mars orbiter to identify and measure water ice in the mid- and low-latitude regions of Mars. Thales Alenia Space will play a pivotal role by designing the mission’s multi-user communications system and developing the innovative Large Deployable Reflector (LDR) antenna, facilitating high-data-rate communications with ground stations in Ka- and X-band frequencies. Moreover, the LDR antenna will support the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) instrument operating in L-band. As part of the two-year phase, Thales Alenia Space will construct a six-meter-aperture demonstration model of the LDR, with plans for a complementary payload study involving a new VHF sounding radar to measure ice profile depth.

Massimo Comparini, Deputy CEO and Senior Executive Vice President of Observation, Exploration, and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space, commented, “ASI’s decision to entrust us with the development of this innovative communications system confirms our company’s long and recognized experience in the production of satellites and radar technologies for communications and Earth observation. With this large antenna, Thales Alenia Space is developing enabling technologies for future challenges in Earth observation, planetary observation and communications systems, as well as for institutional and commercial systems. In addition, our participation in the International Mars Ice Mapper mission will pave the way for us to play a primary role in Earth-Mars communications, a key step in preparing for future human missions.”

Thales Alenia Space brings to the table extensive expertise in the design, assembly, testing, and integration of large antennas for deep-space exploration missions, including Cassini-Huygens and BepiColombo.

ABOUT THALES ALENIA SPACE

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental management, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the parent companies’ Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of approximately 2.2 billion euros in 2023 and has around 8,600 employees in 17 sites in 10 countries across Europe and a plant in the USA.

THALES ALENIA SPACE – PRESS CONTACTS

Sandrine Bielecki
Tel: +33 (0)4 92 92 70 94
sandrine.bielecki@thalesaleniaspace.com

Catherine des Arcis
Tél. : +33 (0)6 78 64 63 97
catherine.des-arcis@thalesaleniaspace.com

Cinzia Marcanio
Tel.: +39 (0)6 415 126 85
cinzia.marcanio@thalesaleniaspace.com

SOURCE: Thales