Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) and Kypros Satellites (Kyprosat) have signed an agreement to collaborate on a turnkey, low-cost geostationary telecommunications satellite system. The solution is based on SSTL's small GMP-T geostationary satellite platform which delivers up to 5.5kW power, offered together with orbital slot assets and asset management services provided by Kyprosat.

The framework agreement between SSTL and Kyprosat brings a new approach of delivering solutions to the satellite market. Traditionally satellite operators are also the orbital slot 'owners' where they also undertake the arduous and complex process of engineering a solution that meets their requirements, while also dealing with the procurement process, the legal, legislative and financing aspects of a project.

The Kyprosat-SSTL collaborative solution encompasses the satellite and mission design, manufacture and test, launch, in-orbit and ground segment service management, licensing and regulatory management, financing, and insurance services, offering a cost-effective and less complex approach for in-orbit satellite ownership, and opening up the telecommunications market to new players.

SSTL's GMP-T platform is a flexible small satellite design which delivers up to 5.5kW of power and up to 8GHz of Ka-band or 1GHz or Ku-band. The platform is designed to stack in pairs for launch, thus reducing launch costs.

The signing of the agreement took place in Limassol, Cyprus on 5th September 2014, and was attended by the Cyprus Minister of Communications and Works, Mr. Marios Demetriades together with representatives from SSTL, Kyprosat, and Mr Joerg Kreisel, the CEO of JKIC.

After the signing ceremony Dr John Paffett, Director of Telecommunications and Navigation for SSTL, commented "SSTL's small Geo platform is perfectly placed to address the Kyprosat needs and to offer smaller domestic telecoms operators in emerging markets an affordable entry opportunity to an indigenous capability. At the same time it offers established global commercial satellite operators opportunities for cost-effective and rapid upgrade or replacement of capability."

Mr Angelos Pieri, CEO of Kyprosat said "There are many nations and regions of the world with needs which can easily be serviced with a smaller satellite. Hosted payloads and leasing bandwidth is of course an option currently offered, but the benefit of our offer is to provide a solution tailor-made to the customer needs and more importantly you have your own satellite which can be operated autonomously, relocated or redeployed during its lifetime."

Kyprosat is already pursuing opportunities with potential customers, and is launching a roadshow of the new product over the next few months.

Kypros Satellites (Kyprosat) is a Cyprus based 'space and fleet asset management' company offering services from mission concept through satellite end-to-end operations based around the exclusive usage rights of 21 orbital slots, granted to Kyprosat by the administration of the Republic of Cyprus.

The services include, Spectrum Resources, Regulatory Support, Mission Management - (Planning, Development, Operations), Mission Engineering - (Space and Ground System Architecture and Design), Procurement Monitoring, Launch Procurement and Support, In-Orbit Testing and On-Orbit Operations Support, Marketing and Sales, Financial Resources etc.

Kyprosat also offers innovative telecommunication satellite solutions that provide customized and cost effective entry to the satellite telecommunications, enabling new entrants and existing satellite operators to rapidly address the market requirements.