Six metres high, weighting 1000 kilograms and assembled from over 24,000 parts: These are the dimensions of the second generation of European weather satellites, which in future will collect weather data some 800 kilometres above us.

The basic structure of the second flight model was assembled in RUAG Space's clean rooms in Zurich and is now being delivered to customers by special 31-metre transport. There it will be fitted with various measuring instruments. The launch of the satellite, named MetOp-SG 1B, is planned for 2025.

RUAG Space is the leading European supplier of lightweight structures that are essential for building satellites. Now RUAG Space is supplying the second of six flight models for the second generation of weather satellites (Second Generation; Meteorological Operational Satellite), which provide weather images and films for weather forecasts day after day. The new generation of weather satellites is designed to make weather forecasting even more accurate and to better predict extreme weather situations.

Six metres high and 1000 kilograms "light
The six-metre high and 1000-kilogram "light" basic structure was developed by RUAG Space in Zurich and assembled from over 24,000 parts. These not only have to withstand hard loads during launch, but are also exposed to extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations as well as vacuum conditions in space.

But the structures also have to be as light as possible to save fuel. The structures owe their lightness to their construction as a "sandwich" with a core of aluminum honeycomb bonded to cover layers of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic.

Launch of satellite planned for 2025
Early morning of 06.05.2021, the second out of six airworthy basic structure was delivered by special transport to the customer Airbus Defence and Space in Friedrichshafen. It is well protected in the process: The air-conditioned container weighs over 16 tonnes and protects the satellite structure from contamination and vibrations during the journey. The launch of the satellite named MetOp-SG 1B is planned for 2025.

The European weather satellite programme MetOp Second Generation (SG) Metop-SG is a cooperation programme between the European Space Agency ESA and EUMETSAT, the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. Members of EUMETSAT are MeteoSwiss and numerous European meteorological organisations. The main contractor for the creation of the satellites is the company Airbus Defence and Space.

-ED -SPACE STORY-- nuclear-civil ED http://www.deepisolation.com 225 22-DEC-49 Deep Isolation and Dominion Engineering cooperate to develop nuclear waste disposal technology Deep Isolation and Dominion Engineering cooperate to develop nuclear waste disposal technology deep-isolation-concept-hg.jpg deep-isolation-concept-lg.jpg deep-isolation-concept-bg.jpg deep-isolation-concept-sm.jpg illustration only Deep Isolation
by Staff Writers Berkeley CA (SPX) May 07, 2021 Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in spent nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level nuclear waste (HLW) storage and disposal solutions, has signed a cooperative agreement with Dominion Engineering, Inc. (DEI), a global leader in specialized nuclear fuel services and technology, with a focus on inspection and maintenance equipment that ensures safety and integrity of nuclear fuel during operation and long-term storage.

Deep Isolation and DEI will cooperate in the sales, development, and deployment of Deep Isolation's patented SNF and HLW disposal technology, with an initial focus on Latin America and an option to expand to other markets. There is currently an estimated 7,000 metric tons of SNF awaiting disposal in Latin America, and the nuclear energy infrastructure and waste management considerations in this region make it an ideal candidate for Deep Isolation's deep borehole technology.

"There is a growing awareness that nuclear waste belongs in deep geologic isolation, and that it's no longer acceptable to push this problem onto future generations," said Elizabeth Muller, CEO of Deep Isolation.

"DEI's reputation for delivering innovative services and technologies that enhance the safety and integrity of nuclear fuel is wholly consistent with our own objectives of delivering safe disposal solutions. By working with DEI's established clients and active operations globally, we have an opportunity to assist them in developing a comprehensive strategy for the disposal of spent fuel and high-level waste."

Founded in 1980, DEI provides technical consulting services, field services and technology for the full life cycle of nuclear reactors and nuclear waste management installations. DEI's Smart-SipTM technology is an industry-leading vacuum sipping technology that ensures the integrity of nuclear fuel assemblies before they are reloaded to a nuclear reactor or transferred to a storage or disposal canister.

DEI also provides specialized engineering services to ensure the long-term safety and integrity of SNF canisters during long-term storage. DEI previously analyzed technical issues such as residual heat generation and long-term corrosion predictions for SNF canisters in support of the Yucca Mountain deep geological repository.

"DEI is excited to be working with Deep Isolation and its partners to bring this innovative and much-needed SNF and HLW management solution to the nuclear industry worldwide," said DEI President Mike Little.

"Nuclear energy technology is essential to deep decarbonization and the fight against climate change. By catalyzing this solution for long-term management of nuclear waste, we are meaningfully contributing to greater confidence in nuclear power by eliminating what has been a historical barrier to greater acceptance within the clean energy landscape."

The Agreement adds momentum to Deep Isolation's recent progress. As its global presence expands to address a problem in need of innovation, the relationship with DEI meets a critical need in a new market.

Related Links
RUAG Space
Earth Observation News - Suppiliers, Technology and Application

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Many meteorological satellite networks are constantly scanning Earth, providing vital research data and real-time life-saving weather information. Since China began its initial development in 1970, the Fengyun (FY) series of meteorological satellites have advanced considerably throughout more than 50 years. While FY satellites primarily focus on the atmosphere, they are capable of observing complex variables within the Earth-atmosphere system. Since the initial FY dispatch, China has successfully ... read more