Callisto Space News

Training Course Offers : Cryogenic Systems for RF and Electronics Applications

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:48:31 +0100

Based on 20 years experience as a leading specialist in cooled electronics for space telecommunications, Callisto is organizing a training course in November 2013 on Systems for Cooled Electronics Applications.

This will be a unique learning opportunity at both theoretical and practical levels for those interested in cooled electronics such as, for instance Low Noise Amplifiers (LNA), High Temperature Superconductors (HTS) and related cryogenic electronic and thermal design, operation and maintenance.

Electronics Engineer

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:48:25 +0100

Due to an expansion of its business, Callisto is seeking to recruit and additional engineer for its engineering team based in our offices in France. This team is engaged studies related to satellite communications and in the development of specialised RF equipment for satellite ground stations; including M&C systems (Hardware and Software). The responsibilities of the selected candidate will be to support the engineering team and will typically include: preparation of engineering drawings, preparation of reports & documentation, test of components and sub-systems, software development and test.

As a minimum the candidate should have the following qualifications and abilities:

• A high level University qualification in Electronics Engineering, which includes significant elements of the following subjects;

Radio frequency & electromagnetic.
Software development.

• Good analytical abilities, self-organisation skills and the motivation to learn new skills.

• Flexibility and motivation in order to work effectively in a small company environment. This involves significant technical versatility.

• Languages: French & English (reading, written, spoken) to a good level.

• Good communications skills for both oral presentations and written output.

• Computer literate: MS WORD, MS EXCEL

• EU National or a current valid work permit to work in an EU country.

Project GRACY in collaboration with IEMS ( University of Lille) and IMS ( University of Bordeaux ) selected by the Agence Nationale de Recherche

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:14:58 +0100

Callisto is pleased to announce that the project GRACY in collaboration with IEMS ( University of Lille) and IMS ( University of Bordeaux ) has been selected by the Agence Nationale de Recherche in a frame program for Nanotechnologies and Nanosytems.

"The GRACY proposal is a fundamental research project and focuses on graphene‐based circuits dedicated to innovative applications for communication systems. This ambitious project addresses two academic partners (IEMN and IMS) and one industrial partner

(Callisto). The proposal involves innovative solutions for the information and communication technology, by aiming to demonstrate the capabilities of graphene microwave devices to exhibit performances beyond those of currently available high frequency transistors.

Callisto Celebrates 20 Years

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:51:35 +0100

This month Callisto is celebrating its 20th birthday. In 1993 our company was originally founded in the UK by Steve and Béatrice Rawson and we won our first consultancy contract with EUMETSAT. Since then we have progressed, albeit modestly, to become a small specialist engineering and consultancy company serving the European space industry. Based near Toulouse, France with operations in the UK and Germany we have 13 permanent employees and three associates. Despite our modest size we have contributed to a number of successful European space projects including all the METEOSAT family of missions and all the European Deep Space missions launched since the 1990s.

New Callisto Cryogenic Test Dewar

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:06:36 +0100

Callisto is pleased to announce the completion of the design of a new cryogenic test Dewar system for testing of various types of small components including RF, optical, and electronics. This system is cryogen-free (no liquids), operates under vacuum and uses a GM-type refrigerator (cryocooler). It can cool components as low as 25K. One of the main features of this system is the capability of automatic thermal cycling between +60°C down to below 40K within a very short time frame, typically less than 1h30.

Job Training Offers : RF test bench automation

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:22:53 +0100

Callisto would like to implement automated RF test bench. Three RF test benches have to be studied and automated:

LNA noise temperature test bench
LNA gain and group delay stability over time
LNA instability detection bench

The training period includes a study phase of the test benches and an implementation of the automation phase.

Job Training Offers : Study and Manufacture of a M&C- Closed

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 18:14:07 +0100

Callisto needs to develop a monitoring and control box for waveguides switches and for cryogenic Low Noise Amplifiers(LNA). Two technical solutions must be investigated to realize these two functions:

Unit based on a microcontroller
Unit based on a SBC (Single Board Computer)

The internship will start by a study phase then will continue with the manufacture of a prototype unit.

Operation and Maintenance Training for Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie

Fri, 05 Oct 2012 09:58:33 +0100

The BKG ( Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie) staff has received a training from Callisto on operation and maintenance of the Triband X,S,Ka cryo-LNA system recently delivered by Callisto. Four people attended this 2-days training course, mainly electrical and mechanical engineers and managers.

Callisto to welcome a delegation of Chinese radio astronomers for training on cryogenics

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 16:09:41 +0100

At the end of August 2012, Callisto will welcome nine visitors from China to their offices in the South of France for a 7 day training course in Cryogenic Low Noise Systems. The Chinese group will be led by Dr Jin Chengjin from the FAST project of the National Astronomical Observatories in Beijing, and will include participants from Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory, Shanghai Astronomical Observatory and Yunnan Astronomical Observatory. All are existing or potential users of cryogenic low noise receivers for radio astronomy purposes and will be visiting France to learn from Callisto's extensive experience in the design, manufacture, installation, operation and maintenance of cryogenic LNA systems.

Callisto attends the 17th International Cryocooler Conference (ICC-17) held July 9-12, 2012 in Los Angeles, California

Wed, 18 Jul 2012 10:06:10 +0100

This biennial event is the premier international forum for the presentation, discussion, and dissemination of the latest research and development activities related to all aspects of cryocooling.

New Callisto Triband X/S/Ka cryogenic LNA for VLBI / Radioastronomy

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 14:48:53 +0100

Callisto is pleased to announce the delivery of a Triband Cryogenic LNA System to the German BKG (Bundesamt für Kartographie und Geodäsie), for use in VLBI radio astronomy.

Callisto participation in the SPIE Conference.

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:59:32 +0100

Management of Radar Resources for Space Debris Tracking

Tens of thousands of debris are expected in the near future in the most critical Low Earth Orbit (LEO) regimes, hence representing a serious threat for European space assets. In the frame of the Space Situational Awareness Preliminary Programme of the European Space Agency, the design for a ground-based phased array radar - aimed at debris detection and tracking - has been proposed. Track-while-Scan (TwS) survey is combined with Active Tracking (AT) tasks in order to achieve the required performance. A managing strategy for TwS/AT radar resources is analysed versus the accuracy requirements dictated by collision warning services.

ESOC Argentina (Malagüe Ground Station) Delivery

Mon, 21 May 2012 09:47:02 +0100

Callisto to deliver Cryo LNAs for ESA's Third Deep Space Ground Station (DSA3)

Callisto has delivered the critical cryo-LNA sub-system comprising three X-Band amplifiers three Ka-Band amplifiers to SED Systems, the prime contractor for the DSA3 project. Callisto had already supplied the cryo-LNAs sub-systems for the previous two deep space stations, the first (DSA1) located in Western Australia and the second (DSA2) located in Spain. DSA3 is being built near the small town of Malargüe in Mendoza province about 1000 km west of Buenos Aires.

Square Kilometre Array Study:Callisto Report Available

Thu, 10 May 2012 10:51:32 +0100

Callisto recently carried out a study on the cryogenics options for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Organization, which aims to develop the largest radio telescope in the World (see www.skatelescope.org) in order to study a wide range of scientific phenomena, including many related to the origins and early development of the Universe.

Further information and download report on

http://www.skatelescope.org/the-technology/consultancy-reports/

Ground Station Engineering Services:LEOP Support

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:27:13 +0100

As part of an ongoing support contract to INMARSAT, Callisto provided manpower support to a LEOP being performed by Telespazio for the Apstar-7 satellite. Callisto provided support at the INMARSAT spacecraft control centre in London for the use of two of the Inmarsat ground stations (Bejing,China and Lake Cowichan, Canada) and the Inmarsat communication network. The launch was successful and the injection was as predicted and the ground stations provided support up until the drift phase.