Thales and Exotrail to develop advanced satellite control solution

This collaboration aims to merge Exotrails spacetower flight dynamics system software with Thaless Open SCC satellite control solution.

Thales Alenia Space and Exotrail have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to create a surveillance, command, and control (SCC) solution for small satellite constellations, utilising New Space concepts and technologies. This collaboration leverages Thales Alenia Spaces expertise in satellite systems and Exotrails space mobility solutions.

The partnership aims to integrate Exotrails spacetower flight dynamics system (FDS) software with Thales Alenia Spaces OPEN SCC satellite control solution. This integration will address the complete range of flight dynamics and satellite operations requirements for engineers and operators.

Exotrails spacetower software is a cloud-native flight dynamics system designed to meet the needs of flight dynamics engineers, including orbit determination and manoeuvre planning. Built on a scalable microservices architecture, spacetower can support satellite constellations of any size. It integrates seamlessly with ground segments via OpenAPI and is deployable both in the cloud and on-site. Thales Alenia Spaces OPEN SCC solution covers operations from testing and preparation to real-time surveillance and automated satellite control. OPEN SCC is versatile and capable of managing a single satellite or large constellation, regardless of the mission (communication, Earth observation, or navigation) and orbit (low Earth, medium Earth, or geostationary).

This solution can be deployed on-premises or as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) within a cloud infrastructure. It will offer customised and scalable features to provide a high degree of agility for ground segments, as well as close customer support.

As a key player in communication constellations such as Globalstar 1 & 2, O3b and Iridium NEXT, and the Kineis Internet of Things (IoT) constellation, Thales Alenia Space will join forces with Exotrail in the new-generation constellations market to further Europes independence in space.

Dima Tanzilli, Head of Operational Strategy at Thales Alenia Space, said: “Were delighted to be working with Exotrail to offer an end-to-end solution supporting the transformation of satellite operations. The synergies from our respective know-how and expertise will serve our customers future needs effectively, through a constructive approach in which Europes space sovereignty is a prime concern.”

Sébastien Duménil, Exotrail’s Chief Commercial Officer said: “Were very proud to be working with Thales Alenia Space and to combine spacetower with OPENSCC, a gold standard in space operations. This partnership between new and established players offers a unique solution for operators, particularly of constellations, helping them to deploy and ramp up their satellite control and operations centres.”