General
SSBV is a Dutch and private owned Small Medium Enterprise (SME) that has a 100% focus on Space. The company is able to combine in-house engineering with a solid and self-developed "world-class" product line that is based on experience gained in more than 35 different satellite programs. As such the company operates on a "SpaceCOTS" concept that combines the advantages of high-tech and re-usable hardware and software elements that can be customised to deliver systems that conform to project and customer specific requirements.
For its operation SSBV has in-house access to all required disciplines, ranging from System Engineering to Test and Support activities. Additional knowledge and operational strength is obtained through strategic and long-term partnerships that are in place with a number of research institutes, assembly/production companies and other space (SME) companies. To further strengthen and expand the company, SSBV has started operating as a group of companies. The core company (SSBV) and headquarters operate from The Netherlands whereas daughter / partner companies that offer complimentary activities operate from the UK, Portugal, Ireland, Spain, Australia and the US.
Space activities
Ever since the establishment of the company in 1985, it has focused primarily on the development of high-end systems related to Simulation & Testing and TM/TC. This has resulted in the fact that SSBV is a one of the leading EGSE suppliers in Europe. Since 2005 the company has also developed a strong base of products related to Earth Observation data reception and processing as well as high-tech modems for satellite TTC and specific SATCOM solutions. These are part of the SpacelinkNGT product line that features high-tech satellite communication and TM/TC products that are in use with institutional and commercial customers world-wide. Since 2007 the company has also started to operate a partnership network of low-cost Earth Stations focusing on X-Band data reception and TM/TC & TTC services. Initial coverage of the network is based on offering access from Australia, Central Asia, the Middle East and Central Europe.
Through strategic partnership, SSBV has gained access to the small satellite market where it will exploit a concept of being able to offer cost-effective access to a small-satellite platform/bus that not only allows Earth Observation applications to be readily deployed but also focuses on providing the opportunity to deploy customer specific payloads / instruments. For the simulation, testing, integration and operation of the satellite / payload, the other SSBV based facilities and services are available.
Over the years, SSBV has been involved in more than 35 different satellite programmes, resulting in more than 150 systems -based on its own products- deployed world-wide. SSBV's involvement typically ranges from the B to F phases of a satellite programme. Project involvement covers institutional and commercial programmes such as Science missions, Meteorological monitoring, Earth Observation, Planetary Exploration and Telecommunications. SSBV project experience covers R&D, Engineering, Qualification & Testing as well as (long-term) operational support.
Space products and Technology Transfer
The most important space products are:
- Electrical Ground Support Equipment (Front-Ends / Specialised Check-out Equipment)
- Satellite Data Communication Products
- Real-time Simulation & Test Systems
- Design of custom and product level Electronics and Software (Ground & On-Board)
- Ground Station TTC & X-Band data Reception & Processing Services
- Access to small satellite platforms
Spin-in and spin-off is applied to many of these ground support products.
