The contract, awarded by DBS Industries Inc (DBSI) USA, is for a constellation of satellites (E-SAT) to target hard-to-locate utility meters, such as gas and electricity, and other fixed assets first in the United States and then, as operating permits are obtained, in other countries around the world. Low-power transmitters utilising Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) technology, will transmit usage, safety and other messages to satellites circling the globe in near-polar orbit. All six microsatellites will be designed and built at SSTL's facilities within the Surrey Space Centre, Guildford, UK.

"We are excited about utilising the innovative microsatellite designs of SSTL in the E-SAT constellation," said Fred W. Thompson, CEO of DBSI. "Just as E-SAT will be breaking new ground in Little LEO satellite messaging by concentrating on a specific market sector with potentially high return, SSTL has pioneered many advances in satellite technology. We look forward to an exciting and mutually beneficial partnership."

The first three E-SAT microsatellites are planned for launch on Rockot in the first quarter of 2001. With dimensions of 600 x 600 x 700 mm, each enhanced microsatellite will carry a 1.5 metre VHF antenna and a cold gas propulsion system for orbit maintenance and station-keeping. The total launch mass of each satellite will be 130kg.

"We are delighted to participate in this ground-breaking venture", said Professor Martin Sweeting, Managing Director and CEO of SSTL. "The design and build of the E-SAT constellation will exploit the extensive skills and experience which SSTL has developed in sophisticated microsatellite technology over the last 20 years."

SSTL has been presenting the concept of microsatellites in affordable constellations for disaster monitoring networks, equatorial communications and ocean monitoring for several years to space industry conference delegates around the world. Last year SSTL won a contract with the Tsinghua University in Beijing to build the first demonstrator for a constellation of seven microsatellites to provide daily worldwide high resolution imaging for disaster monitoring and mitigation.

In a further commitment to offering advanced small satellite capabilities at low cost to future customers, SSTL will launch its experimental minisatellite, UoSAT-12, from the Baikonur Cosmodrome later this month. The 350 kg minisatellite will demonstrate advanced high resolution multispectral and panchromatic Earth observation payloads, low-Earth orbit digital communications, plus a number of novel propulsion and attitude control technologies.

A University of Surrey company, SSTL not only designs and builds commercial satellites, but also runs highly successful microsatellite 'know-how' transfer and training programmes for a growing international customer base.