After the last radiation pattern tests, Hisdesat’s SpainSat NG-I satellite’s active transmit antenna underwent satisfactory acceptance testing. At the Airbus facilities in Toulouse, France, the antenna is now being integrated onto the satellite. The antenna and satellite will go through vibration testing after integration, followed by thermal vacuum tests (TVAC).
An integrated digital processor that will connect the X- and Ka-band payloads for cross-banding, a dedicated high-speed service link that facilitates quick reconfiguration, and an extremely sophisticated, fully flexible X-band payload are all features of Hisdesat’s two SPAINSAT NG satellites.
At Airbus’ Getafe facility in Madrid, the active receive antenna acceptance test campaign has commenced. The antenna is scheduled for delivery by the end of the summer. The first satellite is expected to launch in 2025 and operate in a geostationary orbit, offering coverage throughout Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
Unique obstacles arose during the development of the active antennas, but these have been effectively addressed by the manufacturing and design process as well as an effective validation logic. The campaign for approval showcased the active antenna’s exceptional performance, which outperformed other comparable systems available on the market.
The functional tests made it possible to precisely characterize key parameters for optimizing the service and flexibility of SpainSat NG’s operation, such as maximum radiated power in dual polarization, remarkable precision in controlling the radiation pattern of each of its 16 beams, and high spectral purity and linearity.
The manufacturing of the next-generation active antenna system for the SPAINSAT NG program presents considerable industrial obstacles because it is far more sophisticated and large-scale than prior generations. These obstacles have been surmounted thanks to Airbus and its industrial partners working together, positioning Spain’s Airbus Space Systems and the country’s supply chain as global leaders in this kind of product.
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