AAC Clyde Space Wins Order to Secure Long Lead Items for the EPS-Sterna Constellation

AAC Clyde Space has received an order from OHB Sweden to procure key instrument components for the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT). These components, which have long production times, will be used in the planned EUMETSAT Polar System Sterna (EPS-Sterna) programme. This programme's space segment is based on the European Space Agency's Arctic Weather Satellite, successfully launched in 2024 and considered the protoflight model for the EPS-Sterna constellation. The EPS-Sterna programme, which still need to be fully approved by EUMETSAT Member States, aims to significantly improve global and regional weather forecasts and contribute to climate monitoring.

The delivery of these components is expected by the end of 2025, with a total value of EUR 1.0 million (approx. SEK 11.7 million).

“This order is a testament to the trust we have earned through the successful delivery of high-quality solutions, including the Arctic Weather Satellite instrument. It also marks an important step forward,” says Luis Gomes, CEO of AAC Clyde Space.

Following the kick-off order, AAC Clyde Space may receive a significantly larger order for the constellation's weather instruments as the current order is for long lead items for these instruments.

The Arctic Weather Satellite demonstrator was successfully launched in August 2024 and came into operation in September 2024. That mission is a protype mission, intended to be the protoflight model of the EPS-Sterna constellation.

This weather instrument was developed by AAC Clyde Space's subsidiary, AAC Omnisys. It is a microwawe sensor that measures temperature and humidity at different levels in the atmosphere.

“We are excited to see the EPS-Sterna constellation moving forward,” says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

EPS-Sterna Programme

The EPS-Sterna Programme is a new EUMETSAT mission that will develop a comprehensive system, including a constellation of small satellites, launcher services, and the ground segment necessary for 13 years of operations. The mission aims to complement microwave sounding observations from Metop-SG and NOAA JPSS polar-orbiting meteorological satellites, improve the accuracy of global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models by increasing microwave sounding observations, and enhance Nowcasting applications at high latitudes through more frequent microwave observations. Additionally, it will contribute to climate monitoring by adding to the record of upper tropospheric humidity with increased spatiotemporal sampling.

EUMETSAT has outlined that the mission approval is assumed in mid-2025, with the start of all development activities, including the space segment, immediately after approval. The initial constellation of six satellites is expected to launch in early 2029, with a total of 20 satellites to ensure continuous operations until the mission's end in 2042. The procurement of the long lead items is part of a risk mitigation action undertaken by EUMETSAT to ensure that the satellites are delivered on time for the deployment of the initial constellation in 2029.

The Space Segment of the EUMETSAT EPS-Sterna system will be developed in cooperation with ESA, which will act as a procurement agency for EUMETSAT. Similarly to the AWS, OHB Sweden will be the prime contractor for the space segment, platform provider, and system integrator, with AAC Clyde Space as the instrument prime.