Home The Swedish space industry Swedish Space Corporation THE PRISMA SATELLITES Gaisler OHB Sweden RUAG Space Spacemetric Space in Sweden Space museums Contact Search Login NEWS ABOUT RUAG Space _______________________________________________________ RUAG Space AB in Sweden specializes in highly reliable on-board satellite equipment including computer systems, antennas and microwave electronics and adapters and separation systems for space launchers. The company has a total of 378 employees. (December 2011) The headquarters and location for design and manufacture of digital electronics, microwave electronics and antennas is in Göteborg, Sweden (314 employees December 2011). Design and manufacture of launcher adapters, satellite separation systems, satellite structures and sounding rocket guidance systems is performed in Linköping, Sweden (64 employees December 2011). From the web-site of RUAG Space: RUAG Space delivers mechanical ground support equipment to US satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral (November 2010) With its recent delivery of a fourth satellite integration platform and a large satellite transport container to Space Systems/Loral, RUAG Space in Vienna has suc-cessfully fulfilled another important order from one of the leading US satellite manufacturers. This assignment sees RUAG Space further consolidating its position in the American space technology market. The special satellite transport container delivered by RUAG Space to the US satellite manufacturer Space Systems/Loral in Palo Alto is able to accommodate next-generation telecommunications satellites with a total weight of up to 5.7 metric tons. Safely packed inside this container, the fragile spacecraft are protected from dust and from fluctuations in humidity and temperature as well as from mechanical vibrations and impact loads during transportation from their integration center to their launch site. Sophisticated computer analysis is required to calculate the container characteristics necessary to guarantee that environmental conditions during satellite transportation are the same as during assembly. At 12 meters long, 5 meters wide and weighing 16 metric tons, the container fits snugly into the hold of one of the world’s largest cargo aircraft, the Antonov 124. This means that even very large satellites can be transported to their launch site quickly and with-out damage. This state-of-the-art satellite transport container is one of the largest ever delivered by RUAG Space in Vienna. A special mobile integration platform known as a trolley is used during a satellite’s in-tegration and testing phase, not only to move it into the integration hall but also to tilt and turn it in every direction and so improve access to its individual components. The integration platforms delivered to Space Systems/Loral boast an excellent ratio of pay-load weight to platform weight and are able to carry satellites weighing up to 5.5 metric tons. After initial deliveries in 2008 and 2009, this important follow-up order from the biggest US manufacturer of commercial telecommunications satellites has now been success-fully fulfilled with the delivery of a fourth satellite integration platform and a second sat-ellite transport container. This further strengthens RUAG Space’s position in the US market. RUAG Space antennas in six-satellite bundle launch of next generation Globalstar satellites (October 2010) No less than 24 RUAG Space antennas at a time will be launched on board the six Globalstar mobile communications satellites scheduled for lift-off from Baikonour, Kazakhztan on October 19, 7:10 p.m. CEST. The Antennas were manufactured by RUAG Space in Gothenburg, Sweden. "This is a unique launch counting six satellites in one go. Every satellite has four antennas for Uplink, Telemetry and Telecommand from us. 24 antennas in one launch must be some kind of a record", says Jan Zackrisson, Antenna expert at RUAG Space. RUAG Space in Gothenburg, Sweden has designed and manufactured three different types of antennas for the satellites: A corrugated waveguide antenna for receipt of the C-band uplink and receipt of telecommands and two types of patch excited cup antennas for telemetry and telecommand communication at C-band. The designs are extremely efficient in size and mass. The C-band Transmit Antennas weigh only 19 grams each. Globalstar is a global-coverage system for mobile phone and data services. Globalstar has suffered some loss of service in the first generation constellation of mobile communication satellites, likely due to radiation damage. This new generation satellites, built by Thales Alenia Space in France and Italy, will have higher communication capacity (256 kbits/s compared to 9,6 Kbits/s), higher reliability through redundancies and a fifteen year service life compared to 7.5 years for the first generation. The new generation satellites also have an improved radiation protection. The full second generation system is designed for 48 satellites in eight orbital planes at 1 414 km with six satellites in each plane. So far, 24 satellites have been ordered and remaining quantity will be ordered after initial in-orbit technical and commercial experiences. The satellites weigh 700 kg and have 1.7 kW of end-of-life power capacity. The satellites are equipped with 16 C-to S-band transponders and 16 L-to C-band receivers. The first six satellites will be launched by a single Soyuz launch vehicle from Baikonur in Kazakhstan October 19th. The satellites will be released from a dispenser structure. Additional 18 satellites will be launched in groups of six within a year. RUAG Space has more than 30 years of experience from building widecoverage antennas and antenna elements. To date more than 350 antennas for telemetry and telecommand and several thousand phased array antenna elements have been delivered to demanding customers worldwide. RUAG Space expands its business activities in Canada. (September 2010)  RUAG Space recently received an order from the Canadian information solutions company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA) of Richmond, Canada, to build and supply deployment mechanisms for antenna reflectors. These mechanisms are designed to ensure that the antennas can be reliably deployed and precisely aligned on geostationary communication satellites in orbit. Following on the heels of the initial contract to supply such mechanisms to the Canadian space technology firm in 2007, this follow-up order will enable RUAG Space to continue expanding its business activities in the Canadian market. During the launch phase, all large antenna reflectors and any other components that protrude from the satellite are retracted to enable the satellite to fit into the launcher nose cone. This also significantly reduces the mechanical stress imposed on these components by the vibrations which occur during launch. Once the satellite has reached its desired orbit, all the antennas are gradually deployed. It is not only necessary to ensure that the retaining device used will reliably release the antenna at the critical moment; it is also essential to cushion the movement of the antenna as it is being deployed and fixed in its final position. The mechanisms supplied by RUAG Space are therefore equipped with special fluid dampers that exploit the damping properties of high viscosity oils. The dampers can be adjusted to suit the mass to be moved in each case. RUAG Space developed these mechanical components as part of technology programs run by the European Space Agency (ESA). They are now also being successfully used in commercial programs. But ensuring that antennas reach their target position in a smooth and controlled manner is only part of the challenge. The enormous distances over which the signals are transmitted also means that the antenna must reliably maintain ultra-precise alignment over the wide range of temperatures encountered in space. This is achieved by incorporating materials with suitable thermal expansion characteristics in the mechanisms’ special design. RUAG Space won its first contract from the Canadian space technology company MDA back in 2007, and this follow-up order now represents a further milestone in RUAG Space’s plans to expand its business activities outside Europe, particularly in the USA and Canada. The order encompasses seven units of the deployment mechanism which will be constructed and tested in Vienna and then delivered to the overseas customer in spring 2011. Saab Space and RUAG Aerospace united. (05.11.2008) Saab Space and Austrian Aerospace are united under one roof as RUAG Aerospace. Berne. Following the sale of the Swedish space company Saab Space and its Austrian subsidiary Austrian Aerospace by SAAB AB to Swiss technology group RUAG, the companies are now united under one name: RUAG Aerospace. The former "Saab Space AB" of Sweden and "Austrian Aerospace GmbH" of Austria are thus now known as "RUAG Aerospace Sweden AB" and "RUAG Aerospace Austria GmbH" respectively. These companies are being combined with the Swiss space technology activities of RUAG to form one strengthened, Space business unit at RUAG Aerospace. This will enable RUAG to position itself as a pan-European supplier in the space technology segment and to offer its clients even more performance from a single source in the future.  In July 2008 Saab Space was sold to the company RUAG. On the Swedish pages of this web-site I have been publishing texts about the expected change of owner since december 2007. Here are some of the texts, from december 2007 to  July 2008.  Saab evaluating sale of Saab Space (Pressrelease from Saab: 2007-12-11) Saab is examining if there is any interest among other companies in acquiring Saab Space AB. If any of the feelers that have been put out leads to a deal this will take place during the first quarter of 2008. Saab is constantly evaluating acquisition and disposal of companies and business units. At present the possibility of selling Saab Space AB is being considered; at the right price, to the right buyer. The reason is that Saab Space is not part of Saab´s core business. With the industry undergoing consolidation at present, the timing may be right for a sale. Contact has been made with a number of possible buyers. Any sale will take place in the first quarter of 2008. "There is no need to speculate about our future, putting feelers out like this happens all the time and it is by no means sure that it will lead to a deal. We need to run our business as successfully as usual," comments Bengt Mörtberg, CEO of Saab Space.  Arielspace participated in shareholders meeting April 15, 2008. In december 2007 Saab declared that the company wanted to sell Saab Space. At the shareholders meeting CEO Åke Svensson explained the reason why: "An example of our focus on the core operations is that in 2007 we announced that we were examining the possibilities of selling Saab Space. As a result of the unique business conditions in the space industry, Saab space does not have the synergy opportunities with the rest of Saab, despite its high-tech business, that would be required to achieve the profitability that is necessary." After the meeting I interviewed Åke Svensson, but I did not learn anything new.  Thales Alenia Space Negotiating to Buy Saab Space (Space News: 05 June 2008) Saab AB of Sweden is in exclusive negotiations with Thales Alenia Space over the purchase of Saab Space, industry officials said. While they said a deal could be concluded by July, they also said negotiations already had dragged on longer than expected. Saab AB had announced in late 2007 that it was putting its space division up for sale to focus on its core businesses and had expected to find a buyer by April. Saab cautioned at the time that it would hold out for a deal "at the right price, [with] the right buyer" and might end up keeping the division if it could not secure satisfactory terms. Saab Space is Sweden's largest space contractor, specializing in satellite payload electronics and in systems used to release satellites from launch vehicles. The company reported sales of 702 million Swedish krona ($117 million) in 2006 and added 895 million krona in new orders that year. Saab Space's biggest customer is the European Space Agency. Industry officials said that, as was the case when Astrium Satellites purchased British small-satellite builder Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. earlier this year, negotiations between Saab and Thales Alenia Space of France and Italy hinge in part on whether the Swedish government's future space spending will be affected once the country's largest space manufacturer is sold to a non-Swedish company.   SAAB divests Saab Space to RUAG. (Pressrelease from SAAB: 2008-07-15)  Saab AB divests 100 percent of the shares in Saab Space AB including its subsidiary Austrian Aerospace to the Swiss company RUAG Holding AG. The divestment requires approval of competition authorities before completion. "As early as in November 2007, Saab concluded that there were reasons to consider a sale. Saab Space is well managed and profitable, but we have not been able to reach sufficient synergies with other operations within Saab and as a result not the desired possibilities of growth and profit. It was considered to be a good time to act since a consolidation process in the European space industry is ongoing. At Saab we put up two conditions to carry through a sale: To find a professional buyer with the ambition to further develop the operations and to get a fair price. With RUAG we have been able to reach an agreement that fulfils both conditions. The price is acceptable and RUAG is a company that in our view has the capability of further developing the operations of Saab Space and Austrian Aerospace." says Saab CEO Åke Svensson. The purchase price for the shares amounts to 335 MSEK. In addition to the fixed purchase price, Saab is entitled to an additional consideration related to the long-term positive performance of Saab Space. The transaction will generate a capital gain to Saab during 2008 of approximately 100 MSEK. Saab Space is a leading independent supplier of highly qualified space equipment: Computer systems, Antennas and Microwave electronics for satellites and Adapters and separation systems for launchers. Saab Space is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a division for mechanical systems located in Linköping, Sweden. Saab Space also has a fully owned subsidiary in Vienna, Austria, named Austrian Aerospace, focused on digital signal processing, thermal hardware, mechanisms and mechanical ground support equipment. In 2007, more than 90 percent of Saab Space sales represented exports. The RUAG technology group is an international aerospace and defence specialist with strong technological skills. The Group´s holding company is based in Berne (Switzerland) and is 100% owned by the Swiss Confederation. RUAG has development and production sites in Switzerland, Germany and Sweden. In Aviation & Space RUAG are a leading supplier and integrator of systems and components for military and civilian aerospace applications. As a dependable niche player RUAG has operated for many years as a reliable partner of ESA and many commercial space companies worldwide. SAAB SPACE GIVES ITS WORKERS SOME UNUSUAL PERKS TO RAISE PRODUCTIVITY: Published in Space News. July 2, 2007.   Saab Space is implementing a series of offbeat measures as part of a broad productivity improvement program that the manufacturer of satellite electronics and rocket guidance and separation systems hopes will reduce costs byup to 40 percent over three yaers, company Chief Executive Bengt Mörtberg said. In addition to tinkering with process improvements for its hardware, Swedens largest space-hardware builder has included free bicycle repair, pedometer distribution to employees and free religious and psychological counseling as part of the productivity drive. Saab has about 510 emplyees and reported sales of 702 million Swedish krona ($102 million) in 2006. the company added 895 million krona in new orders in 2006. Government customers  - principally the European Space Agency - accounted for 63 percent of Saab Space´s sales in 2006. That same year, U.S. customers represented just 7 percent of the company´s total sales, a ffigure Mörberg said does not reflect the long-term average of the 15-20 percent. Mörtberg was interviewed at the Paris air show June 20. Talking about the productivity improvment, he said Saab Space´s human resources division, seeking to contribute to the three-year effort, was the source  of several of the unusual employee perquisites. "We started out with one bicycle-repair mechanic on site on a regular basis, and now we have two because the demand was so high. The religious counselor is also fully booked, although of courseI am not aware of any of the specifics of who´s visiting or why. The idea here is that people see the company cares about them and this will improve their feeling toward the company." SAAB SPACE TO SUPPLY ANTENNAS FOR LCROSS Published in Space News. June 18, 2007 Saab Space of Gothenburgh will supply telemetry antennas to Northrop Grumman Space technology for use aboard a NASA lunar impact probe. Redondo Beach, Calif.-based Northrop will install the S-band Patch Excited Cup antennas aboardthe Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS). Similar hardware was used aboard the Small Mission for Advanced Research and Technology - 1, the European Space Agency´s first lunar orbiter. That mission ended in September 2006 with a pre-planned impact into the lunar surface. Terms of the contract were not disclosed but Lars Nordfeldt, a spokesman for Saab Space, said its value was in the "couple of hundred-thousand dollars" range. LCROSS, whose main hardware elements are an upper-stage rocket engine and a secondary payload adapter ring outfitted with special instrumentation, is scheduled to launch to the Moon in late 2008 along with NASA´s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. The upper stage will slam into the Moon´s south pole, creating a debris cloud that will be observed by the instruments aboard the adapter ring.      SAAB GETS FIRST ORDER FROM LORAL FOR SATELLITE RECEIVERS. Published in Space News June. 11, 2007. Saab Space of Sweden has filled a big gap in its customer portfolio with a first order for telecommunications satellite receivers and converters from Space Systems/Loral.   Saab Space will deliver four Ku-band frequency converters to Palo Alto, California-based Space systems/Loral in early 2008 to be integrated into the Nimiq 5 and NSS-12 satellites Loral is building for Telesat Canada and SES New Skies. "Years of marketing efforts and of proving ourselves... to major satellite integrators now bear fruit," said Bengt Sundh, director of telecom satellite sales at Saab Space. Saab Space now has three of the four principal U.S. satellite prime contractors as customers - Boeing, Lockheed martin and Loral. Company officials say they are hopeful that Orbital Sciences Corp. will one day be a customer.  In Europe, Saab Space is a regular supplier to Astrium Satellites. The other big European prime contactor, Thales Alenia Space, has an in-house receiver and converter facility.      Updated 26/04/2012 Printer friendly page rymden@arielspace.se

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