As part of its long-term growth strategy for “changing the economics of space,” Surrey Satellite Technology Limited announced Sunday it has acquired space imagery and scientific instrument activities of the Sira Group.
The acquisition is intended to strengthen SSTL’s position as a vertically integrated manufacturer of space imaging systems, including satellite platforms, instrumentation payloads, ground stations and image processing as a satellite mission prime contractor, the company said in a statement.
SSTL said it plans to broaden its involvement in European science and technology programs. Sira already has developed many electro-optical instruments, including hyperspectral imagers for environmental, commercial and military applications; environmental ozone monitors; infrared fire and hot-spot detection imagers; space-debris-monitoring cameras, and satellite-to-satellite broadband optical communication.
In 2000, SSTL acquired Space Innovations Limited, a small satellite company, and Marconi Applied Technology’s solar panel lay-down capability, both of which are now integrated.
