AAC Clyde Space has received a EUR 2.0 M (approx. SEK 22.1 M) order from the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop and demonstrate via flight an airborne microwave radiometer instrument for future satellite altimetry missions. Revenue from the project will be recognized over the project's expected 24-month duration. AAC Clyde Space's subsidiary AAC Omnisys, specialising in microwave instruments, is prime contractor and responsible for instrument development, system integration and delivery of the complete instrument system. The project is carried out with international partners including the National Research Council Canada, McGill University and the University of Bern.

Satellite altimetry is used to measure sea level and ocean conditions and is an important tool for climate monitoring and operational services. This project builds on AAC Clyde Space's established expertise in microwave radiometry. The company recently secured a major contract to deliver radiometers for Europe's next-generation EPS-Sterna weather satellites, following earlier in-orbit demonstration of the technology. The Airborne project demonstrates how the same technology can support both weather monitoring and ocean observation, expanding its application across a broader range of Earth observation missions.

"We have established a strong position in microwave radiometry through earlier missions and major programmes," says Luis Gomes, CEO of AAC Clyde Space. "This project shows how the same technology can be used in new applications, supporting our continued growth."

When satellites measure the ocean level, the atmosphere gets in the way and reduces accuracy. By measuring the top-of-atmosphere brightness temperature, the radiometer helps remove this effect and makes the data more reliable. This improves the accuracy of the altimetric measurements of sea level and ocean conditions, especially near coastlines. The Airborne project is an ESA-funded development project to design and flight demonstrate measurements from a low-frequency and high-frequency airborne microwave radiometer. The instrument supports future satellite altimetric missions by improving the accuracy of sea level and ocean measurements. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.

Click here to learn more about AAC Clyde Space's Satellite Altimetry Missions