Andrew Yee
June 11th 05, 05:33 PM
ESA News
http://www.esa.int
9 June 2005
Galileo test satellites six months from launch
Two experimental satellites are being developed for the Galileo System Test
Bed -- Version 2, which will make up the first phase of in the 'in-orbit validation'
of the Galileo system. Both spacecraft are now approximately six months away
from launch.
The main mission of these first Galileo satellites is intended to secure the Galileo
frequency filings, validate new technologies for operational use, characterise the
radiation environment of medium earth orbit that the operational satellites will
occupy and enable experimentation with live Galileo signals. To ensure the
success of this phase, two satellites have been ordered from industry, currently
known as GSTB-V2/A and GSTB-V2/B, and they are being built in parallel. They
are the first step towards the 'in-orbit validation' phase, which will require a
constellation of four satellites.
Satellite assembly and test
GSTB-V2/A is being developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (UK). Galileo
Industries (GaIn) is developing the GSTB-V2/B satellite. GaIn is a European
consortium including Alcatel Space Industries (F), Alenia Spazio (I), Astrium
GmbH (D), Astrium Ltd (UK) and Galileo Sistemas y Servicios (E).
Much of the testing of the units and subsystems that will make up the two
spacecraft has been completed. Both satellites are now being assembled and
prepared for their environmental tests, which ensure that the satellite is able
to withstand the stress of launch and that it will operate correctly in space.
GSTB-V2/A will be transported to the European Space Research and
Technology Centre (ESTEC) to undergo testing early in the summer.
GSTB-V2/B, currently being assembled at Astrium in the UK, will begin its
test campaign at Alenia in Rome before moving to ESTEC for final testing in
the autumn.
ESA payload procurement
In GSTB-V2, the European Space Agency (ESA) has direct responsibility for
the procurement of all of the GTSBV2/B payload units and some of the
GSTB-V2/A payload units. The other part of the GSTB-V2/A payload is a
parallel signal generation chain developed by SSTL, the satellite prime
contractor.
The units procured by ESA include:
* rubidium frequency standards (both satellites)
* a passive hydrogen maser (GSTB-V2/B)
* clock monitoring and control units (both satellites)
* navigation signal generation units (both satellites)
* frequency generation and upconversion units (both satellites)
* solid state power amplifiers (GSTB-V2/B)
* output filters and diplexer (GSTB-V2/B)
* navigation antennas (both satellites)
The flight versions of all units have been successfully delivered to the satellite
prime contractors and production of the spare units is in progress.
Ground facilities
In parallel with the construction of the two spacecraft, the ground facilities required
for controlling the satellites and performing the validation experiments are being
developed and tested.
The primary ground systems for GSTB-V2/A are located at the Chilbolton
Observatory and Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory in the UK. The control centre
for GSTB-V2/B is at Fucino in Italy.
Launch
Preparations for the launch of both satellites have been initiated. Soyuz vehicles
will launch both spacecraft from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. An
inspection of the launch facilities was completed in April. The launch of the first
Galileo test satellite is currently scheduled for December this year.
Additional information about the Galileo programme is now available on the
European Space Agency web portal. A new navigation menu on the right
hand side of the Galileo pages gives access to the following subject areas:
* First stages of Galileo
* In-orbit validation
* Full deployment
* Galileo specifications
Related news
* Galileo: contracts for the first satellites
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMXYEXO4HD_index_0.html
* Contract signed for launch of two experimental Galileo satellites
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPYP2PGQD_index_0.html
* Galileo In-Orbit Validation contract is signed
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM9983AR2E_index_0.html
Related links
* Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU)
http://www.GalileoJU.com
* SSTL -- GSTB-V2A
http://www.sstl.co.uk/index.php?loc=111
* Galileo Industries
http://www.galileo-industries.net
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMFJ41DU8E_index_1.html ]
http://www.esa.int
9 June 2005
Galileo test satellites six months from launch
Two experimental satellites are being developed for the Galileo System Test
Bed -- Version 2, which will make up the first phase of in the 'in-orbit validation'
of the Galileo system. Both spacecraft are now approximately six months away
from launch.
The main mission of these first Galileo satellites is intended to secure the Galileo
frequency filings, validate new technologies for operational use, characterise the
radiation environment of medium earth orbit that the operational satellites will
occupy and enable experimentation with live Galileo signals. To ensure the
success of this phase, two satellites have been ordered from industry, currently
known as GSTB-V2/A and GSTB-V2/B, and they are being built in parallel. They
are the first step towards the 'in-orbit validation' phase, which will require a
constellation of four satellites.
Satellite assembly and test
GSTB-V2/A is being developed by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (UK). Galileo
Industries (GaIn) is developing the GSTB-V2/B satellite. GaIn is a European
consortium including Alcatel Space Industries (F), Alenia Spazio (I), Astrium
GmbH (D), Astrium Ltd (UK) and Galileo Sistemas y Servicios (E).
Much of the testing of the units and subsystems that will make up the two
spacecraft has been completed. Both satellites are now being assembled and
prepared for their environmental tests, which ensure that the satellite is able
to withstand the stress of launch and that it will operate correctly in space.
GSTB-V2/A will be transported to the European Space Research and
Technology Centre (ESTEC) to undergo testing early in the summer.
GSTB-V2/B, currently being assembled at Astrium in the UK, will begin its
test campaign at Alenia in Rome before moving to ESTEC for final testing in
the autumn.
ESA payload procurement
In GSTB-V2, the European Space Agency (ESA) has direct responsibility for
the procurement of all of the GTSBV2/B payload units and some of the
GSTB-V2/A payload units. The other part of the GSTB-V2/A payload is a
parallel signal generation chain developed by SSTL, the satellite prime
contractor.
The units procured by ESA include:
* rubidium frequency standards (both satellites)
* a passive hydrogen maser (GSTB-V2/B)
* clock monitoring and control units (both satellites)
* navigation signal generation units (both satellites)
* frequency generation and upconversion units (both satellites)
* solid state power amplifiers (GSTB-V2/B)
* output filters and diplexer (GSTB-V2/B)
* navigation antennas (both satellites)
The flight versions of all units have been successfully delivered to the satellite
prime contractors and production of the spare units is in progress.
Ground facilities
In parallel with the construction of the two spacecraft, the ground facilities required
for controlling the satellites and performing the validation experiments are being
developed and tested.
The primary ground systems for GSTB-V2/A are located at the Chilbolton
Observatory and Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory in the UK. The control centre
for GSTB-V2/B is at Fucino in Italy.
Launch
Preparations for the launch of both satellites have been initiated. Soyuz vehicles
will launch both spacecraft from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. An
inspection of the launch facilities was completed in April. The launch of the first
Galileo test satellite is currently scheduled for December this year.
Additional information about the Galileo programme is now available on the
European Space Agency web portal. A new navigation menu on the right
hand side of the Galileo pages gives access to the following subject areas:
* First stages of Galileo
* In-orbit validation
* Full deployment
* Galileo specifications
Related news
* Galileo: contracts for the first satellites
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMXYEXO4HD_index_0.html
* Contract signed for launch of two experimental Galileo satellites
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMPYP2PGQD_index_0.html
* Galileo In-Orbit Validation contract is signed
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM9983AR2E_index_0.html
Related links
* Galileo Joint Undertaking (GJU)
http://www.GalileoJU.com
* SSTL -- GSTB-V2A
http://www.sstl.co.uk/index.php?loc=111
* Galileo Industries
http://www.galileo-industries.net
[NOTE: Images supporting this release are available at
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEMFJ41DU8E_index_1.html ]