Safran Data Systems has officially opened an extension to a telemetry equipment production center in South West France that makes antennas and ground stations production facility for use in flight testing and satellites.
The 3,900 square meter extension at the site at Aerodrome d’Arachon, La Teste de Buch near Bordeaux, more than doubles the size of the facility. Safran said it will enable the center to respond to the strong growth driven by the increasing number of space programs.
The engineering and production facility now has nearly 160 highly-qualified employees and groups teams from R&D, production and customer support who handle satellite antennas and ground stations, as well as flight testing for Safran.
Construction of the facility took 12 months and was supported by regional government funding.
A new assembly and wiring shop for multiband microwave sources and the antenna integration facility, covering 1,500 square meters, will boost production efficiency by 60%, while also improving occupational safety and working conditions, said Safran.
The extension was opened last week by Martin Sion, CEO of Safran Electronics and Defense, Jean-Marie Bétermier, CEO of Safran Data Systems and executive vice president, space at Safran Electronics and Defense. During the ceremony several local dignitaries and industry leaders attended, including Alain Rousset, president of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, and representatives from French space agency CNES, defense procurement agency DGA, Space Command, Airbus Defence and Space, Thales Alenia Space and ArianeGroup.
Jean-Marie Bétermier said, “Safran Data Systems has logged sustained annual growth of 6% over the past eight years. This expanded industrial facility will allow us to deliver even better support for our customers and their projects.
“By combining centers of excellence for engineering, testing and production, it allows us to meet our needs now and for many years to come.”
Opened in 1981, the plant focuses on the construction of antennas and ground stations for applications including data reception from satellites, space probes and flight test telemetry. These products are used for major space programs and test centers in France and around the world.