[Satellite TODAY 06-03-11] Sofradir was awarded a contract to provide shortwave-infrared (SWIR) arrays for the Sentinel 5 Precursor mission as part of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) space initiative — a joint project by the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA), Sofradir announced June 2.

    The SWIR array was originally developed for ESA’s Spectra mission in 1999. Sofradir will provide its off-the-shelf SWIR arrays based on mercury cadmium telluride technology to U.K.-based satellite and space equipment supplier SSTL.

    “Sofradir will not be required to participate in a preliminary design phase, reducing lead time,” Sofradir Chariman and CEO Philippe Bensussan said in a statement. “Deliveries will be completed within 2 years.”