Thales is the world's leading supplier of Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs) for satellites and other spacecraft. Our TWTs are used on satellites spanning the full range of civil and military applications including space-based TV and radio broadcasting, data transmission, telecommunications, internet, observation and navigation.
Thales has developed unrivaled expertise in space-borne TWTs with a product offering at frequencies from L band to V band and power levels to 250 watts. Thales has been widely recognized as a pioneer and innovator in space TWTs, while we have consistently developed new technologies that have led to decisive improvements in TWT efficiency and thermal performance. These advances have allowed satellite manufacturers to increase transmission power and reduce spacecraft mass. Thales also provides TWT amplifiers (TWTAs) for space applications, and we can offer a high performance solution covering all current needs.
Our K-band TWTs operate at frequencies from 17 to 21.5 GHz and up to 170 watts of power. Our Ka-band TWTs operate at frequencies from 26 to 32 GHz and up to 60 watts of power.
K & Ka-band Space TWT Milestones (through the end of 2007)
- Nearly 1200 K & Ka-band TWTs in orbit
- Logging over 10 million hours of in orbit service
Thales's complete line of space TWTs has an equally impressive record at the end of 2007
- 10,000 flight models delivered
- 300 million hours in-orbit
- 25 million hours added every year