Press release
July, 2017

On the way to better satellite communication

Oberdischingen, July 2017. First Sensor Lewicki GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of the sensor specialist First Sensor AG, will be involved in the construction of one of the antennas for the German communication satellite Heinrich Hertz. On June 28, 2017, DLR (German Aerospace Center), the contracting authority, and OHB System AG, the general contractor, signed a contract for the construction, testing and launch of the satellite. The multi-feed array antenna is related to the mission objective of a geostationary relay for low Earth orbit satellites (GeReLEO).

For the 90 x 90 mm antenna an innovative printed circuit board technology will be used for the realization of a planar multi-feed array, in which active components are embedded. First Sensor Lewicki is working on the project together with the Institute of High Frequency Technology at RWTH Aachen University and the IMST GmbH in Kamp-Lintfort. The launch of the satellite is planned for the year 2021. In addition to a number of other tasks, the Heinrich Hertz satellite will serve as a relay station for smaller earth-orbiting satellites. The background: satellites orbiting the Earth can only send their data to the ground station in a time window of about 10 to 15 minutes. The next radio contact is only possible after a further Earth roundabout. Here, the Heinrich Hertz satellite will function as a relay: in its geostationary orbit, far above the low-orbit satellites, it will be able to receive the data over clearly enlarged windows of over 40 minutes and then forward these to the ground station. The amount of data which can be received per revolution by the satellites is also considerably increased via the extended reception windows.

"The DLR-funded project to build the multi-feed array antenna for the GeReLEO-MFA project on the Heinrich Hertz satellite opens us the door to a new application field in the area of spaceflight qualified high-frequency technology, in addition to the existing qualification as an assembly and test house", comments Maximilian Sailer, Managing Director of First Sensor Lewicki GmbH, on the participation in the DLR project.

Picture: 
Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit-im-All_(c)OHB-System-AG_2016_med.jpg
© OHB System AG

About First Sensor Lewicki GmbH
First Sensor Lewicki GmbH in Oberdischingen has been a specialist for hybrid circuits and complex electronic assemblies for 50 years. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the German sensor specialist First Sensor AG. The hybrid circuits, components and electronic assemblies from Oberdischingen have become synonymous with reliability and are used worldwide in power electronics, sensor technology, medical technology and space travel. In addition to thick-film technology, the technological spectrum includes all microelectronic assembly and bonding techniques. The site includes a production area including constantly monitored clean rooms of more than 1 800 m². Qualifications and screening, for example according to MIL and ESA standards, are carried out with our own equipment park. First Sensor Lewicki GmbH also fulfills the requirements of aerospace according to EN 9100 and medical technology according to EN ISO 13485.

About First Sensor AG
First Sensor AG is one of the world's leading suppliers in the field of sensor systems. Our company develops and manufactures both standardized and tailor-made sensor solutions for the detection of light, radiation, pressure, flow, level and acceleration for applications in the Industrial, Medical and Mobility growth markets. The company produces in-house and along the value-added chain from component to system level.

With over 800 employees, we are represented at six German locations and also have development, production and sales sites in the USA, Canada, China, the Netherlands, UK, France, Sweden and Denmark along with a worldwide partner network. We guarantee our compliance through regular successful certifications of the sites according to ISO/TS 16949, ISO 14001, EN ISO 13485, EN 9100 and ISO 9001 - matching the respective business field.

First Sensor AG is listed in the Prime Standard of the German stock exchange in Frankfurt.

For more details on First Sensor, please visit: www.first-sensor.com

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First Sensor AG
Peter-Behrens-Str. 15
12459 Berlin
Germany
T +49 30 6399 2399
	
Technical press contact:
Doris Tischer
Director Marketing Communications
Email: technical.press@first-sensor.com
T +49 89 80083-48