Page 54 - hisdeSAT annual report 2011

TECHNICAL ACTIVITY

5.2 The ground control

segment

The HISDESAT system of communications has a ground

control segment for the satellites, with centres which

analyse the telemetry and prepare commands to the

satellites and have TTC antennae (Tracking, Telemetry
and Commands).

They operate 24x7x365 and are equipped antennae are immediately interchangeable
with the most technologically advanced for any of the satellites depending on the
computer systems, for the control and su- requirements of the service.
pervision of the satellites from earth.
52 53 Ottawa (Canada) and Mt Jackson (USA)
Due to the governmental nature of the ser-
vices provided, the system has high security Provides the ground control segment to
and to this effect has all its elements du- Xtar-Eur. This has an antenna of 16,m di-
plicated in order to ensure ameter on X and S Bands, and one of 6,3m
The antennae sufficient redundancy. on X Band in Maspalomas, as well as an an-
tenna with 6,3m diameter in Arganda. The
are immediately Centres antennae are immediately interchangeable
for any of the satellites depending on the
interchangeable for Arganda and requirements of the service.
Maspalomas
any of the satellites Each satellite has two identical control cen-
Located in Spain to service tres, located in separate geographical loca-
depending on the the SpainSat satellite, and tions. Similarly, each of them has tracking

requirements of the as well as Maspalomas, in stations or TTC antennae, on two different
the future the Inta centre
frequency bands (X y S), located in separate
service in Madrid will be operative geographical locations (Madrid and Gran
for the satellites Paz, In-
Canaria).
genio and HisNorSat.
Ground control permits the operation of
SpainSat has an antenna with a diameter of both satellites, even with one of the loca-
16,4m on X and S band, and a 6,3m one on tions completely out of service, guarantee-
X Band in Arganda, as well as an antenna ing users continuous service at any time and
with a diameter of 6,3m in Maspalomas. The under any circumstances.