Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio have already supplied to the Italian Ministry of Defence two first-generation SICRAL satellites and the second-generation SICRAL 2 satellite.
Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio have signed a contract with the Italian Ministry of Defence, represented by TELEDIFE / Secretariat General of Defence, for the development of the SICRAL 3 secure satellite communications system, including its ground segment. Covering the development of phases B and C, the contract is worth a total of approximately 159m, as a result of an articulated and complete negotiation process.
The SICRAL (Italian System for Secure Communications and Alerts) programme deploys geostationary satellites for confidential strategic and tactical communications, to support defence missions both in Italy and abroad. It will ensure continuity with the current SHF and UHF-band telecom services provided by the SICRAL 1A, 1B and SICRAL 2 satellites, while expanding its suite of services by providing a Ka-band payload, as well as supporting security, public rescue and civil protection services.
SICRAL 3 will also capitalise on the ongoing developments within the ItalGovSatCom (I-GSC) programme, a pillar of the evolving Space Economy and the Programmes of Military Research, and will help expand NATOs current satellite capabilities.
To develop the SICRAL 3 programme, Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, via their Space Alliance, have created a temporary consortium led by Thales Alenia Space, with Telespazio also playing a major role.
Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the entire SICRAL 3 telecommunications system, the space segment (including system design and integration), and the design, production and integration of the innovative UHF, SHF and Ka-band payloads. The space segment includes two geostationary satellites, SICRAL 3A and SICRAL 3B. The platform, which features electric propulsion, is based on a modular and autonomous orbital transfer design using GNSS/GPS sensors and receivers for satellite positioning and attitude. Leonardo will supply the star sensors that enable SICRAL 3 to maintain the correct attitude in orbit through sophisticated algorithms.
Telespazio will manage the development of the ground segment, drawing on synergies with previous SICRAL developments for the Vigna di Valle Control Center and the Fucino Space Center. The company will be in charge of the satellites launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) and in-orbit tests (IOT).
Massimo Claudio Comparini, Deputy CEO and SEVP Exploration, Observation and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space, said: The SICRAL 3 contract marks a major step forward for Thales Alenia Space and the entire space industry in terms of our ability to propose design solutions and technologies, not only for the Italian government but also for allied nations and international organisations such as NATO. This contract reflects the fruitful long-standing collaboration between our company and the Defense Administration. Thanks to the experience gained in conducting national programmes such as SICRAL and COSMO-SkyMed, as well as expertise in both ground and space systems, the Italian space industry retains full autonomous capacity in the development and delivery of end-to-end solutions for large-scale integrated systems.”
Luigi Pasquali, Telespazio’s CEO, added: SICRAL missions have represented excellence in the implementation and management of complex space programs for over 20 years. The Space Alliance between Leonardo and Thales, through its companies Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space, works closely with the Italian Ministry of Defense to provide modern and effective satellite communications services for our country and NATO. By ensuring the continuity of the SICRAL programme and expanding its services, especially through an added Ka-band, our defence forces will have the operational capacity needed to further strengthen the countrys international role.
Giuseppe Abbamonte, Admiral Chief Inspector of TELEDIFE (IT, Telematics and Advanced Technologies Directorate of the Ministry of Defence), stated: “Within the past three and a half years, as a Director of TELEDIFE, we have launched major space programs. Today, these efforts have culminated in the signature of the contract for the development of the future military satcom satellite constellation. Today’s signature once again proves not only the enormous importance of space for defence, but also the very high level achieved by Italian industry, represented today by two of the most important companies operating in this sector, Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio. Italian industry not only produces systems capable of meeting the complex requirements imposed by national military needs, but is also asserting itself in a highly competitive international context.
Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio have already supplied to the Italian Ministry of Defense two first-generation SICRAL satellites (no longer in operation), and the second-generation SICRAL 2 satellite. Telespazio, having co-financed the SICRAL 1B and SICRAL 2 missions, has consolidated its role as a defence satellite operator.
