The equipment now in Russia has successfully completed two weeks of tests, marking a major milestone for the project and the customer. Work is now underway to integrate the equipment into the first two satellites, under a joint operation with VNIIEM and SSTL engineers.

Under the contract, SSTL is supplying three suites of satellite avionics and software plus system design support, power management and batteries, on board computers and data handling capabilities for satellite subsystems and satellite operations.

SSTL will also support spacecraft assembly and integration activities in Russia. This is the first major contract that SSTL has undertaken in Russia and the co-operation is a new and exciting development for both organisations, as well as the wider space industry.

Equipment for a third KANOPUS satellite platform is currently under manufacture and test at SSTL's Guildford facilities and will be delivered to the customer later this year.

The Russian Space Agency plans to launch a series of KANOPUS Earth observation satellites, with the first two due for launch at the end of 2009/early 2010.

KANOPUS-V is being developed for Russia and will record abnormal phenomena to study the possibility of earthquake prediction as well as monitoring agriculture, water and coastal resources. The satellite will carry a Russian-built 2.1m panchromatic imager plus a 10.5m multispectral imager.

VNIIEM chose to work with SSTL because of the company's established reputation and considerable experience in building small satellites. SSTL's unique approach to satellite engineering allows the company to provide satellite platforms, subsystems and even complete missions within extremely tight schedules.

Commercial Space Technologies (CST) assisted in contract negotiations and continues to play an active role in facilitating communications.

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