AAC Clyde Space has announced a landmark €76.3 million contract to become a core supplier for Europe's next-generation weather monitoring system.
Under the agreement with prime contractor OHB, AAC will provide 20 advanced microwave radiometers for the EUMETSAT Polar System – Sterna (EPS-Sterna) constellation. This isn't just another order; it signifies the transition of AAC's technology from a single successful prototype to the industrial backbone of a critical, continent-wide infrastructure project running through 2035. It provides AAC with a significant, long-term, and predictable revenue stream.
So, how did this crucial deal come about? The groundwork was laid through a clear sequence of events. First came the technical validation. AAC's radiometer technology was successfully demonstrated in orbit on the Arctic Weather Satellite (AWS), which launched in 2024. This 'flight-proven' status gave European agencies the confidence to rely on it for a large-scale constellation, effectively removing a major technical risk.
Second was the strategic and political green light. In January 2026, EUMETSAT, Europe's meteorological satellite agency, officially approved EPS-Sterna as a mandatory mission. This decision was driven by Europe's goal of achieving data sovereignty in weather forecasting and climate monitoring. The program is estimated to deliver over €30 billion in socio-economic benefits by improving forecast accuracy, especially for extreme weather events.
Finally, the procedural framework fell into place. Following the mission's approval, EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency (ESA) signed a cooperation agreement, designating ESA as the procurement agent. This unlocked the funding and formal process for industrial partners like OHB to begin placing large-scale orders. OHB had already initiated contracts for long-lead items in 2025, priming the supply chain. This major contract with AAC for the primary sensor was the logical and anticipated next step.
Ultimately, this contract operationalizes years of research and policy-making. The data from these radiometers is expected to reduce short-range forecast errors in Europe and the Arctic by 3-6%, a meaningful improvement that will enhance public safety and economic planning. It solidifies AAC's position as a key player in the European space industry.
- EUMETSAT: The European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, an intergovernmental agency that supplies weather and climate data.
- Microwave Radiometer: A sensitive instrument that measures faint microwave signals emitted by the Earth's atmosphere to determine characteristics like temperature and water vapor.
- Flight-Proven: A term indicating that a piece of technology or hardware has been successfully operated in space, demonstrating its reliability.