In the same year as we celebrated our 20th anniversary, Callisto also celebrated the delivery of our 50th and 51st cryogenic system. In December 2013 we completed an order to Zodiac Data Systems for two X-band compact cryo LNAs destined for Earth Observation ground stations. Since 1997 Callisto has delivered over 50 cryogenic systems using both G-M and Stirling coolers.
The longest running systems are S Band cryo LNAs operating in the ESA Deep Space Antenna 1 in New Norcia, Australia. These cryo LNAs, working at 15 K temperature, use 2 stage G-M refrigerators have been in operation since 2000 and are being used today to track the Rosetta spacecraft as it prepares for an encounter with the comet 67 P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in May 2014.
Our longest production run was for the X-band Mark I, 15K cryo LNA of which 11 units were produced and operated for a number of years in Deep Space ground stations of ESA and are currently still operational supporting the ISRO Deep Space missions. The ESA X-band Mark I LNAs have recently been replaced by the upgraded Mark-II design featuring Callisto's patented low maintenance design innovations.
The most complex cryo receiver produced over the years is a 6 channel tri-band system working in S, X, and Ka-band and is operational in the BKG VLBI twin telescope in Wettzell, Germany.
The Cryo Compact Mark II is the most recent production series and features "Zero Maintenance" Stirling refrigerators and our patented innovative thermal insulation techniques avoiding high vacuum. These products are being commercialized in X, K and Ka-band for Earth Observation and SATCOM applications.
Still in development is an ultra wideband cryo receiver for VLBI and Radio Astronomy applications. This is project is currently in the prototype phase and the design work is being handled by our specialized engineering team located at our offices near Toulouse.
After sales service is an important aspect of our business and we have contracts with ESA and ISRO for long-term maintenance support for operational cryogenic systems.
We would like to thank our many clients for their confidence over the past years and undertake to continue to strive to produce high quality cryogenic products, featuring innovative solutions to fulfill their needs for reliable, cost effective and high performance receivers.