Thales Alenia Space chooses CMOS imaging sensors from e2v for European MTG weather satellite

CHELMSFORD, England, 9 Dec. 2011.Satellite electronics designers at Thales Alenia Space in Cannes, France, needed a space-qualified complementary metal oxide silicon (CMOS) imaging sensor for the flexible combined imager (FCI) instrument on the European Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) weather satellite. They found their solution from e2v Technologies plc in Chelmsford, England.To build the CMOS imaging sensor for space, e2v executives have signed a multi-million-Euro contract with Thales Alenia Space. The Meteosat Third Generation (MTG) is a program of the ESA and the European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). Thales Alenia Space is a joint venture between Thales in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, and Finmeccanica in Rome.The MTG network and its electro-optical payloads is being designed to gather high-resolution weather data to 2037 and beyond. The series of six geostationary weather satellites includes four imaging satellites (MTG-I) and two sounding satellites (MTG-S) in geostationary orbits.

The FCI instrument on each MTG satellite will provide images of weather systems and environmental changes. The first MTG-I satellite is set for launch in 2017, with the first MTG-S following in early 2019. Thales Alenia Space is the MTG prime contractor.

For more information contact e2v online at www.e2v.com, or Thales Alenia Space at www.thalesgroup.com.