2nd of March 2021 marked the milestone of contract signature between HPtex GmbH and HPS GmbH for the provision of the metallic reflective mesh for the CIMR Mission of the EU Copernicus Earth Observation program. The CIMR Mission is a crucial element of the EU Integrated Policy for the Arctic and addresses the Copernicus user needs with global coverage and sub-daily revisit in the Polar regions. This mission is an important element to monitor and understand the challenges of the climate change. It is for example designed to observe sea surface temperature, sea ice thickness, sea ice concentration, and sea surface salinity.

The contract assigned to HPtex GmbH is a follow-on activity of previous CIMR pre-developments activities and comprises the delivery of meshes for the Breadboard and EQM (Engineering Qualification Model) developments, as well as for up to 3 meshes with a size of 10 m x 10 m respectively for the flight units of the CIMR satellites to be deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Each of the satellites will carry a rotating Large Deployable Reflector Subsystem (LDRS) of 8 meter in diameter with the reflective mesh manufactured by HPtex GmbH. The contract considers the final delivery for the option of the 3rd satellite in 2027. Following delivery of the meshes for the individual satellite units by HPtex GmbH, they will be integrated into the deployable reflector structure designed and manufactured by LSS GmbH. HPS GmbH as LDRS subsystem responsible will ensure that the metallic mesh produced by HPtex GmbH will satisfy the challenging RF-requirements of the CIMR mission. The complete LDRS subsystem – including the high performance mesh manufactured by HPtex in Lower Franconia – will be delivered to the prime contractor Thales Alenia Space Italy, with the European Space Agency ESA being the final customer. The launch of the first CIMR satellite is scheduled for 2027.