SARSAT MEO 406-MHz System on GALILEO FOC Satellites
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2017 10:03 am
The GALILEO FOC-series space vehicles also contain a 406-MHz SARSAT receiver. The antenna for the 406-MHz band is not a little added afterthought; it is a six-element array of helical antennas. The antenna is shown in detail below. It occupies considerable space of the nadir deck on the spacecraft; compare it to the main navigation antenna, seen in the second illustration (below).
In the center of the 406-MHz array is the L-band downlink antenna. The SARSAT signals are retransmitted to ground stations using this antenna.
Considering the cost-per-kilogram to put something into orbit, the inclusion of the two antenna systems and the bent-pipe transponder for SARSAT must represent quite an added expense for the GALILEO program just in terms of the launch payload weight, as well as the power requirements to operate all the electronics for SAR, room on the space vehicle for the devices, and overall engineering of the satellite system.
In the center of the 406-MHz array is the L-band downlink antenna. The SARSAT signals are retransmitted to ground stations using this antenna.
Considering the cost-per-kilogram to put something into orbit, the inclusion of the two antenna systems and the bent-pipe transponder for SARSAT must represent quite an added expense for the GALILEO program just in terms of the launch payload weight, as well as the power requirements to operate all the electronics for SAR, room on the space vehicle for the devices, and overall engineering of the satellite system.