VEGA Group PLC (VEGA), the independent Programme and System Assurance Company, has teamed up with ATOS Origin to secure a five-year frame contract with the French National Space Agency (CNES).
The VEGA / ATOS co-prime partnership is one of four consortia that have been selected by CNES for the Contrats Globaux d'Informatique Spatiale (CGIS) Frame Contract, which is estimated to be worth 150m euros over the five year period. VEGA will provide solutions and technology support for CNES' operations, projects and maintenance requirements.
The first Invitation to Tender (ITT) was released in April 2006 and covers support for operations of CNES' and ESA's satellites to be launched in 2007.
The selection of the VEGA / ATOS consortium is the second major step forward achieved by VEGA in France, following the contract awarded to support the Pléiades mission.
John Auburn, Business Development Director for Aerospace, said: "This contract is an historical achievement for VEGA. Our French company has firmly established itself in the French space community.
CNES has introduced the CGIS Frame contract as a mechanism to allow each consortium to develop its space activities through a stable pipeline of opportunities. VEGA is looking forward to using its experience and expertise to help CNES achieve its goals."
