Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), a company wholly-owned by the University of Surrey, have completed an investment of $1 million in DBS Industries, Inc (DBSI). In 1998 the FCC granted DBSI, through its ESAT subsidiary, a licence to launch six satellites and provide Automated Meter Reading Services. Its target market will be utility companies throughout the world.
California-based DBSI awarded a contract to SSTL last month to build the six platforms for the E-SAT constellation of satellites which will read remotely located utility meters. The first three microsatellites, each weighing 130 kg, are due for launch in the first quarter of 2001.
The E-SAT contract is significant to SSTL since the Company has been presenting the concept of their microsatellites for affordable constellations for several years.
World leaders in small satellite technology, SSTL launched their latest demonstration minisatellite, the 325 kg UoSAT-12, on 21 April, bringing their total launches to 15 — with a further three 50 kg microsatellites planned for launch before the end of this year.
