13 May 2014 07:00
SCISYS PLC
(SSY: AIM)
Contract Win
SCISYS PLC ('SCISYS' or the 'Company'; AIM: SSY) - the supplier of bespoke software systems, IT based solutions and support services to the Media Broadcast, Space and Government and Defence sectors - is pleased to announce that it has signed a contract with the European Space Agency to deliver the Harwell Robotics and Autonomy Facility Pilot Project 1 ("HRAF"). The HRAF facility will support the development, testing and validation of autonomous systems technologies, which is essential for future space missions involving planetary rovers and robots.
The value of this contract is €1.2m over the next 12 months, commencing immediately.
The development and validation of complex autonomous systems, such as planetary rovers, is critical to enable future planetary exploration science missions. Development of autonomous systems requires proving the readiness of the technology and the validation of complete systems using specialist test facilities to supplement the traditional validation approaches. This has to include mock planetary surfaces, simulated software environments and field trials. The aim for HRAF is to provide such a testing facility, which in turn will deliver a number of key benefits to the user community.
Dr. Horst Wulf, Divisional Director Space of SCISYS said: "The discussions and preparation for HRAF started in 2012 and it is great to see SCISYS' reputation in autonomous systems being recognised by priming this consortium. The cooperation with Airbus Defence & Space, Thales Alenia Space Italy, Thales Alenia Space UK, Joanneum Research and the Virtual Engineering Centre in Daresbury brings together the experts in this domain and continues the productive cooperation the companies established over the last years."
Klaus Heidrich, CEO of SCISYS added: "The area of autonomous systems and robotics is currently receiving a lot of investment and with HRAF we are delighted to be at the forefront of this area. In addition to our core space business it also has the potential to create exciting opportunities in non-space domains."
For further information please contact:
SCISYS PLC | +44 (0)1249 466 466 | |
Mike Love | Chairman | |
Klaus Heidrich | Chief Executive Officer | |
Chris Cheetham | Finance Director | |
finnCap (NOMAD & Broker) | +44 (0)20 7220 0500 | |
Julian Blunt / Henrik Persson | Corporate Finance | |
Simon Starr | Corporate Broking | |
Winningtons Financial PR Tom Cooper/Paul Vann | +44 (0)20 3176 4722 +44 (0)797 122 1972 tom.cooper@winningtons.co.uk |
About SCISYS:
Employing nearly 430 staff, SCISYS is a leading developer of Information and Communications Technology services, e-Business and advanced technology solutions. The Company operates in a broad spectrum of market sectors including Media & Broadcast, Space, Government and Defence sectors. SCISYS clients are predominantly blue chip and public sector organizations. Customers include Environment Agency, the Ministry of Defence, Astrium, Arqiva, Vodafone, the European Space Agency, Eumetsat, the BBC, RNLI and the National Trust. The Company has UK offices in Chippenham, Bristol and Reading and three offices located in Germany. More information is available at www.scisys.co.uk