TEKEVER reinforces European expansion with €3.2M contract and new space hub in France
TEKEVER, the European leader in unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has signed a contract worth up to €3.2 million to provide satellite communications technology for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Comet Interceptor mission. The contract comes as TEKEVER opens a new site in Toulouse, France, dedicated to building the company’s capabilities in satellite communications and space technology.
TEKEVER will provide GAMALINK, its advanced Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) technology, to OHB Italy, which will enable communication and the transfer of data between satellites and ground stations involved in the Comet Interceptor mission launching in 2028. The mission, comprising three spacecraft, will observe a long-period comet as it approaches the Sun for the first time, which will improve our understanding of the origins of our Solar System and the universe.
TEKEVER’s new space hub in Toulouse – the capital of the European space sector – will support the development of advanced space technologies and products like GAMALINK as well as those that support space-based Earth observation, such as GAMASAR, TEKEVER’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for small satellites. The team will be led by TEKEVER Space Director Nadia Maaref, who joined TEKEVER in early 2023 following 15 years in the aerospace industry with a strong background in leading space downstream businesses and earlier in her career, constructing radar-based surveillance solutions.
Nadia Maaref, Director of TEKEVER Space, commented: “We are thrilled to land yet another contract to support international space agencies. This consolidates our position as a trusted partner and leading provider of technology for critical space missions. With our new space hub in Toulouse, we look forward to collaborating with other aerospace companies and taking advantage of the world-class talent in the area to continue driving innovation in this sector.”
Ricardo Mendes, CEO of TEKEVER, added: “Today’s announcements reflect the momentum we are building at TEKEVER: we are expanding our footprint in Europe and growing our expertise in the space sector. Our new space hub in Toulouse places us at the heart of the European space sector and will enable us to capitalise on two growth areas for our business: developing critical and cutting-edge technology for space exploration, and further enhancing our ability to provide customers with aerial and space-based Earth observation.”
TEKEVER has been building its capabilities in the space sector for more than a decade. In 2022, the company signed a contract to provide critical Inter-Satellite Link (ISL) technology for the European Space Agency’s HERA mission, which will help determine whether we can one day deflect asteroids bound for Earth.
The new space hub in Toulouse continues TEKEVER’s expansion in Europe. The company opened its second UK site in West Wales in September 2023 and is rapidly expanding its global footprint to better serve its customers and attract the best minds in the world to build technologies, products, and services that can effectively help us protect human life and have an impact on humanity.
About TEKEVER
TEKEVER is market leader in advanced unmanned aerial technology systems for maritime surveillance. It builds multiple types of drones around an AI-centric platform that combines Edge AI, satellite communications and cloud computing to provide customers with real-time information and advanced analytics over simple to use and globally accessible web and mobile interfaces.
TEKEVER is also a recognized expert in advanced satellite communication and networking systems for multi-satellite missions, particularly Inter-Satellite Links, as well as satellite RF payloads for Earth observation and space exploration. Our turnkey solutions have played a pivotal role in supporting some of Europe’s most challenging space missions, including ESA Hera and ESA Proba 3. TEKEVER’s foundation lies in its exceptional technical talent with specialized skills and capabilities in areas such as research and development, engineering, design, and advanced technology implementation.
TEKEVER maintains research and development, engineering, and production facilities in Portugal, France, and the United Kingdom. We collaborate closely with a global network of partners to offer local support to customers worldwide. For additional information, please visit our website at www.tekever.com.
