Surrey Satellite Technology Restructures Business for Strategic Growth

Earlier this month SSTL was awarded a contract with its partner OHB-System for the provision of 14 spacecraft for the European Galileo navigation system.

Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) has restructured its business, forming two new business units to manage continuing growth in its Earth Observation and Science and Telecommunications missions.

The Telecommunications and Navigation business unit will be run by Dr. John Paffett, who was responsible for Europe’s first Galileo navigation satellite, GIOVE-A and SSTL’s geostationary communications satellite programme.  Also, earlier this month SSTL was awarded a contract with its partner OHB-System for the provision of 14 spacecraft for the European Galileo navigation system.  In the near future, SSTL will also begin work with the Telecommunications Regulation Authority of Sri Lanka for the development of a communications satellite and the formation of Sri Lanka’s space agency. 

The Earth Observation and Science business unit will be run by Paul Brooks, currently Director of Business Development and Sales and previously responsible for the Medium Wave Infrared and TopSat remote sensing missions.  In the immediate future, SSTL is involved in a remote sensing mission for Kazakhstan and the launch of the NigeriaSat-2 and NX satellites later this year.

SSTL CEO Matt Perkins commented: "We see maintaining the SSTL ethos as the company grows as critical to our continued success. The formation of two focussed business units will enable SSTL to grow, whilst preserving this ethos and maintaining our unique and cost effective methodology which is built on a common foundation of engineering and a programmatic approach."

The new business units will be responsible for the complete life cycle of missions, ensuring that customers continue to get the close attention that they expect from SSTL as the company grows.

About SSTL
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is the world’s leading small satellite company, delivering operational space missions for a range of applications including Earth observation, science and communications. The Company designs, manufactures and operates high performance satellites and ground systems for a fraction of the price normally associated with space missions, with 300 staff working on turnkey satellite platforms, space-proven satellite subsystems and optical instruments. Since 1981 SSTL has launched 34 satellites as well as providing training and development programmes, consultancy services, and mission studies for ESA, NASA and commercial customers, with its innovative approach that is changing the economics of space. Based in Guildford, UK, SSTL is owned by EADS Astrium NV. www.sstl.co.uk