[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Early 2013 Airborne signed a contract with Astrium in Ottobrun Germany for the manufacturing of solar panels for a new Earth observation satellite for an Asian end customer. The production started in March and the first batch of four panels was delivered to Astrium in June, according to plan and to satisfaction of the customer. These QM (qualification model) panels will undergo various testing on Earth, to prove the design.
The production of the second batch of four FM (flight model) panels has started in August. Delivery of this second batch to Astrium is scheduled in November. The actual launch of the satellite is expected to occur in 2015.
The pictures below were taken in the clean-room at Airborne during the client inspection of the 4 QM panels.
Astrium is one of the two largest satellite manufacturers in Europe and the second major customer of Airborne for such satellite panels. Both companies want to establish a long term cooperation.
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