DESIGN OF A MULTI-PURPOSE KU-BAND STATION

Abstract

Deutsche Telekom has been operating different communication satellites for several years. DLR (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V.) with its GSOC (German Space Operation Center) is responsible for German space missions. Deutsche Telekom and DLR formed a joint venture to build a Ku-Band station for back-up purposes and to provide LEOP services in the Ku-Band for Europe. The station is located at the DLR premises near Munich. The new station is operational since 1998. The aim was to design the system in a way that the operation effort in costs aspects and human intervention is minimized. All operational tasks can be performed besides the routine work of one person at the Satellite Control Center (SCC). The station is remote controlled from different SCCs. The SCC has one consistent Human Machine Interfaces which includes not only the Ku-Band station but also the backup S-Band stations at different locations. This paper describes conception and operation of a LEOP Ku-Band Station with shared users at different sites.