e2v has signed two contracts worth a total of 4M euros with Thales Alenia Space, for the supply of imaging sensors to equip the High-Resolution (HR) optical imaging instruments for their Earth observation satellites.

The first contract is for Gokturk, an Earth observation satellite system for the Turkish Ministry of Defence. It is derived from the Proteus platform (also developed by Thales Alenia Space) and will include a high-resolution optical instrument, similar to that used in the Pleiades program. The satellite launch is planned for 2013.

The second contract is for Seosat-Ingenio, the first Spanish Earth observation satellite and the first to be built by a consortium of industries from the Spanish space sector primted by Astrium.

This Spanish Earth observation satellite system will meet a growing need for data and provide Spain with full autonomy and independence in image capture for applications such as security land management, natural resource management, and to help with the response to natural catastrophes.

e2v has a strong heritage in providing imaging solutions to the global space market, utilising cutting edge technologies to deliver space qualified back-thinned devices with world leading Quantum Effieciency (QE) and Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) performance.

The sensors will be delivered over a 2 year period from July 2011.

Alberto Musazzi, V.P. Purchasing, Thales Alenia Space, Cannes says "The e2v CCD performance for optical high-resolution imaging instruments offers enhanced resolution."

Bertrand De Monte, Marketing Manager of high performance imaging, at e2v said "e2v is delighted to sign this contract with Thales Alenia Space. It demonstrates how e2v's imaging solutions for Earth observation applications are well respected and add to more than 20 worldwide programmes running with our high performance imaging technology."