Surrey's Role in Europe's Satellite Supported Navigation System
Surrey selected by the European Space Agency to supply 14 navigation payloads for the deployment phase of Europe's satellite navigation system.
Surrey is teamed with OHB System of Bremen, Germany for the provision of the first 14 satellites in the full operational capability phase of the Galileo program. Within the team, OHB take the role of prime contractor and builder of the spacecraft platform and Surrey takes full responsibility for the navigation payloads onboard the satellite that will form the heart of the navigation system.
Surrey's payload solution is based on European-sourced atomic clocks, signal generators, high-power TWTAs and antenna. Each payload will be formed of a number of subsystems that will combine to generate the navigation messages broadcast by the satellites directly to a user's receiver.
Timing Subsystem – the heart of the navigation payload, containing two different types of highly accurate atomic clock.
Mission Uplink Subsystem – receives the data messages sent to the satellites from the ground control system.
Signal Generator Subsystem – responsible for the generation of the navigation signals.
RF Amplification Subsystem – transmits the navigation signals to the ground with a sufficient quality and power to enable a receiver to track them.
Search and Rescue Payload – relays distress and coordination messages from COSPAS-SARSAT Search and Rescue service.
Laser Retroreflector Array – reflects laser light fired at the satellite to support the accurate tracking from the ground of the satellite in its orbit.
Under the contract, Surrey is responsible for the design, manufacture, and test of the navigation payloads using equipment procured mainly from European suppliers. Surrey will also manufacture in-house electronics to interface with the satellite platform integrated by OHB-System and the navigation payload.
The first satellites produced under this contract will be launched from 2013.
Links
OHB-System AG
ESA - Galileo
Visit Surrey's Media Gallery for downloadable images of the spacecraft being developed for this phase of the program.
This information has been produced under funding of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union and/or ESA. The OHB/SSTL project is funded by, and part of, an initiative by the European Union (EU) for a satellite-supported European navigation system, and where the European Space Agency (ESA) acts in the name of, and on behalf of, the EU.
GIOVE-A
Surrey’s pioneering work as prime contractor for the GIOVE-A satellite and in testing the signals will prove invaluable for the execution of this contract. GIOVE-A was the first part of the in-orbit validation phase of the Galileo program, broadcasting the first signal to successfully secure the critical frequency filing with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) at 17:25 GMT on the January 12, 2006.
On the May 2, 2007, GIOVE-A successfully transmitted the first European navigation message from space, containing the information needed by users' receivers to calculate their position. GIOVE-A was required to work for 27 months and has greatly exceeded this – it is now in its fifth year of operations and continues to perform well.
Links
ESA- GIOVE-A