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Technical University of Munich
  1. Ground Station

Ka-Band Ground Station

Ground Stations

 

The first ground station of the Institute of Astronautics (IA) (S-band) and the Mission Control Center got operational in August 2006. This S-band antenna is constructed for the transmit and receive of satellite data from LEO and GEO, and thus encompasses the entire S-band frequency range (2.0 to 2.3 GHz).


The further and intensive research activities in the field "telepresence in space", especially through the project "LISA-MS" required the investment of an additional high-performance Ka-band antenna (20/30 GHz). These future orientated high-performance frequency band allows for high-data transfer, for example, image data in high definition quality. Especially for Earth controlled robotic missions a secure real-time transmission is important. The link configuration for such robotic missions are using a geostationary relay-satellite, to allow a longer contact time.
In the commercial area also draws from increased use of Ka-band technology to meet the demand of television broadcasts in HD quality.
Furthermore, this antenna is equipped with special measurement equipment to perform high-precision in-orbit measurements of communication satellites or acceptance tests from others ground stations. Because of these special measuring equipment of the IA Ka-band ground station, a research and development cooperation with the French satellite operator Eutelsat was created. After intensive series of tests the system was certified as a reference station for ESVA ( Earth Station Verification Acceptance ) - tests.


The UHF / VHF antenna was mainly realized for the TM/TC (Telemetry TeleCommand) operations of LEO satellites. In the past, the station was used for video downloads of the LAPAN TUBSAT mission. Since 2013, this antenna is used for the in-house CubeSat missions First-MOVE and MOVE-IIa/b.

For questions about specific antennas do not hesitate to contact us:

Nicolas Appel: n.appel(at)tum.de

Sabine Letschnik: s.letschnik [at] tum.de


Ka-Band Station

Diameter:4.8 m
Antenna Type:Cassegrain
Tracking Modes:Step Track
Orbit Prop.with TLE – NORAD & INTELSAT
EIRP:83 dBW (linearized TWTA)
G/T:33.6 dB/K (Inject Pilot System)
U/L Frequency Range: 27.5 – 30.0 GHz
D/L Frequency Range: 17.8 – 22.0 GHz
Polarizations:H/V-LP & LHC, RHC (Tx, Rx)
Satellite Position Range:50°E to 80°W
Location:Munich/Garching

UHF/VHF-Station

Antenna Type:Yagi (VHF), Helix (UHF)
Tracking Modes:Program Track
Orbit Prop.with TLE – NORAD
EIRP:49 dBW linearized SSPA (UHF)
G/T:-19 dB/K (VHF)
UHF Frequency Range: 400 – 435 MHz
VHF Frequency Range: 135 – 145 MHz
Polarizations:LHC/RHC
Satellite Position Range:Full Motion
Location:Munich/Garching
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