The first Multi Wave Imager (MWI) RFA structure has been delivered to our customer Airbus Defence and Space. This confirms that Sonaca remains a strong contender for success in advanced space applications.
The MWI instrument will be installed on the Second Generation of MetOp satellites, Europe’s polar orbiting mission dedicated to operational meteorology. This Engineering Qualification Model (EQM) structure will be mechanically tested by the end of the year. For this program, financed by ESA, four additional structures will be produced by Sonaca, one Prototype Flight Model (PFM) and three Flight Models FM2, FM3 and FM4 ). For this project, the main challenges were the complexity of the parts to be produced as well as the specificity of the customer requirements. They were all well addressed by Sonaca's space team to achieve a very satisfying result.
The first launch of the MetOp SG, which will provide precipitation monitoring as well as sea ice extent information, is forecasted in 2021.
