Thales Alenia Space to Work on US Navy GFO-2 Satellite

Thales Alenia Space is to work on the preliminary phase of the GFO-2 RA altimeter that will be fitted onto the US Navy's geosat follow-on 2 (GFO-2) satellite.

As a subcontractor to Ball Aerospace, Thales Alenia will develop the bifrequency altimeter by using technology derived from the Poseidon family of altimeters.

The new-generation GFO-2 will cover all the oceans across the globe and deliver crucial data for military strategy.

The preliminary phase covers the definition, design and system compatibility of the satellite programme.

A production contract for the altimeters is scheduled to be awarded by the end of this year.