DGAP-News: OHB AG / Key word(s): Miscellaneous
OHB AG: Core module for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter handed over to
Thales Alenia Space by OHB System
03.02.2014 / 14:42
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Bremen, Feb. 3, 2014 - In a special ceremony held on Monday, February 3,
2014, in the presence of the German federal government's new coordinator
for aviation and space, Brigitte Zypries, the core module of the ExoMars
Trace Gas Orbiter, comprising the structure, the thermal system and the
drive system, was handed over to Thales Alenia Space by OHB System AG.
Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB said: 'The timely release marks a key step in the
development of the ExoMars program. We are proud to be part of this
ambitious international science and research program.'
The new parliamentary state secretary Brigitte Zypries made a point of
experiencing live the completion of this milestone in the ExoMars program.
'This was a very pleasant start to my new position as aviation and space
coordinator. With the ExoMars program, the German space industry is
demonstrating its outstanding skills,' said Brigitte Zypries after the core
module was handed over.
ExoMars is a joint project of ESA and the Russian space organization
Roscosmos. It comprises two missions which will be heading for Mars in 2016
and 2018 to find answers to the important question as to whether life ever
existed on that planet. To this end, it will be taking soil samples from
the planet's surface and analyzing them. The ExoMars program covers the
key entry, descent, landing, drilling and exploration technologies.
The Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) will be sent to Mars together with the
'Schiaparelli' landing module in 2016.
The purpose of the TGO is to find proof of methane or other atmospheric
gases which indicate the existence of biological or geological processes on
Mars.
The TGO has several tasks in the two missions. In the 2018 mission it will
be communicating with both the fixed Russian ground station and the
European rover.
Today's release at the OHB head office marks the end of an intensive
construction and testing phase during which the core of the orbiter was
prepared as the basis for integrating the TGO subsystems and units, which
also contain scientific instruments.
ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain also took part in the ceremony
meeting with representatives of the ExoMars industrial syndicate to
acknowledge this important milestone. 'ExoMars is an ambitious and
fascinating project. It is a premiere for Europe and, in many aspects, also
a premiere for the entire world. Thanks to the skills of our industrial
partners here in Germany, we are able to complete the transfer of this
important element for the 2016 mission on schedule. We are eagerly looking
forward to the key scientific findings which the TGO will obtain for us in
order to understand the evolution of Mars and to find an answer to the
question as to whether life has ever existed there,' says Jean-Jacques
Dordain.
As a part of the European industrial syndicate, OHB System AG is
responsible for developing the core module of the Trace Gas Orbiter, which
comprises the structure as well as the thermal and propulsion system for
the 2016 mission, and will be supplying this for the principal contractor
Thales Alena Space.
The Trace Gas Orbiter and the 'Schiaparelli' landing module will be
launched in January 2016 and should reach Mars nine months later. The
second mission with the ESA Rover and the Russian ground station is
scheduled for May 2018 and will reach the planet at the beginning of 2019.
Roscosmos is ESA's most important partner on the ExoMars mission.
For further information please contact:
OHB System AG
Martin Stade
Leiter Unternehmenskommunikation
Tel.: +49 (0)421 - 2020-620
Fax: +49 (0)421 - 2020-613
E-Mail: martin.stade@ohb-system.de
www.ohb-system.de
Investor Relations OHB AG
Martina Lilienthal
Tel.: +49 421 - 2020-720
Fax: +49 421 - 2020-613
E-Mail: martina.lilienthal@ohb.de
End of Corporate News
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Language: English
Company: OHB AG
Karl-Ferdinand-Braun-Str. 8
28359 Bremen
Germany
Phone: +49 (0)421 2020 8
Fax: +49 (0)421 2020 613
E-mail: ir@ohb.de
Internet: www.ohb.de
ISIN: DE0005936124
WKN: 593612
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard);
Freiverkehr in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, München,
Stuttgart
End of News DGAP News-Service
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250784 03.02.2014
DGAP-News: OHB AG: Core module for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter handed over to Thales Alenia Space by OHB System
| Source: EQS Group AG