High Gain Antenna Gimbal (HGAG) for the rover Perseverance of the Mars 2020 mission
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We have been applying our solid experience in the human adventure of outer space since 1967. It is a scientific challenge that we are passionate about and that has led us to demonstrate our capabilities in programs for the most important space agencies, such as ESA, NASA, JAXA… Our technological quality turns essential components and equipment into a reality for all kinds of satellites in Earth orbit and for interplanetary exploration.
We began our space odyssey by developing structural mechanisms and components. Today we are a key supplier of electromechanical components and systems for the European Space Agency (ESA) including deployable systems, high precision pointing and positioning systems, sweeping systems, as well as gripping and release systems. Our equipment includes different functional elements and their integration within the electromechanical system including radio frequency, optics, power and thrust systems, etc., adapting the system to our clients’ needs.
We have more than half a century of experience in the design, manufacture, verification and final integration of critical electromechanical components and systems for space, with 100% reliability: in all our space history, none of the hundreds of pieces of equipment supplied by Sener Aeroespacial have recorded any failure in flight.
We have accumulated over 40 years of experience providing ground support equipment, initially related to launchers. As the leader of a consortium of European companies, we developed the on-board equipment for the Spacelab mission, 165 pieces of which were ground support devices. Since then, our level of responsibility in this technological field has increased until ultimately becoming a world-class company.
We are one of the few European companies qualified to design specialized satellite integration equipment. We have extensive experience manufacturing mechanical ground support equipment (MGSE) and assembling satellites, ranging in weight from several hundred kilograms to several tons. These projects represent a major engineering feat, since each satellite or subsystem is practically one of a kind.
To date, we have successfully manufactured and tested MGSE components for satellite assembly on the Euclid scientific space probe, in addition to participating in European Space Agency missions such as Juice, Biomass, Electra, PLATO and FLEX and as a supplier of the auxiliary equipment for the M2/M· and M5 cells of the ELT telescope for the European Southern Observatory (ESO).
Sener Aeroespacial’s DTA family of rotary actuators is based on electric motors designed and manufactured in our own facilities. This allows us to benefit from full vertical integration and have control over all design and MAIT (Manufacturing, Assembly, Inspection and Test) activities.
Our DTA actuators are available in a variety of diameters from 2 to 10 centimeters with kinematic chains, position sensors, heaters, connectors, etc. They are characterized by high holding torque and outstanding technical performance, in addition to being used in scientific missions, institutional missions and commercial telecommunications platforms.
At Sener Aeroespacial, we have been mass-producing them since 2017 and they can be integrated into a wide variety of mission-critical subsystems, such as pointing, deployment and electric propulsion mechanisms, both of our own design and production and those of external clients.
Our systems include mechanism and electronic control for other features and funtionalities such as antennas, robotic elements, autonomous connections, orbital docking systems, landing gear, launcher motor vectoring, ground sample capture and analysis, gates, crew support systems, and instrument structures and benches.
We perform both systems engineering as well as equipment and devices for a wide range of science and biomedical research and applications in manned space flights.
For on-board instrumentation, we collaborate with the scientific community designing and implementing both the mechanisms and the electronics for said instruments in the field of:
These developments are basic for experimentation in microgravity, an essential activity for various scientific areas, as well as for future long-term manned missions, such as programs to the Moon or Mars.
Our team of specialists, with nearly 40 years of experience in life support systems, carries out the specification, design, qualification, integration and verification of systems, equipment and instrumentation for manned flights such as:
In addition, we participate in the technological and engineering development of Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS). This field, in which biology, chemistry, food and agriculture technology converge with traditional engineering, has the ambitious goal of developing self-sustaining habitats in which humans can live in harsh conditions, through:
We supply antennas and radio frequency equipment, both active and passive, to leading satellite manufacturers and space agencies for use in navigation, telecommunications, exploration and Earth observation.
In the mid-1980s, we began to apply our advanced engineering knowledge in the area of space communications. Since then, we have provided more than 10,000 pieces of equipment and subsystems on board 1,400 satellites in LEO, GEO, MEO and launcher orbits. Thus, we have managed to accumulate an enormous amount of flight experience, both in payload and in TTC (Telemetry Tracking and Command), with which we offer highly competitive solutions in the supply of components and the development of dedicated designs.
At Sener Aeroespacial, we set ourselves apart by covering the full cycle of services through our own capabilities, highlighting our solid experience in high-power equipment, the design of Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC), and the assembly of Microwave Hybrid Integrated Circuits (MHIC). Some of our capabilities are:
· Electrical (RF, DC and digital/software), mechanical and thermal design engineering.
We have a long history in the design of fixed and steerable antennas, used for communication with satellites in all Earth orbits, and for probes and observatories sent into deep space.
We cover all the necessary capabilities to provide medium and high gain steerable antennas for communications and data downlink systems. This includes all RF design engineering and thermo-mechanics, as well as mechanisms and electronics. This allows us to be present in all phases of the project, from design and manufacturing to integration and testing.
Our antenna systems cover high-precision electronics and pointing mechanisms. They are designed to meet the particular needs of science, exploration, Earth observation or telecommunications missions. The main examples of steerable antennas developed by us are:
– High gain S/ka antenna of the ESPRIT communications equipment, on board the HALO module of the future lunar station led by NASA, in collaboration with ESA. This antenna provides the Ka-band communications link between the lunar station and vehicles or missions on the lunar surface, as well as another S-band link for approaching vehicles or spacecrafts. This HGAMA system consists of a Cassegrain reflector powered by an S/Ka array, a deployment arm and a mechanism with actuators that provide a pointing range of 180º in both elevation and azimuth.
– Ka or X/Ka-band data downlink antenna for data downlink applications for Earth observation or Inter Satellite Link for Galileo. This antenna has a compact ADE design, compatible with a Ka or dual X/Ka feed. The pointing mechanism (APM) is cutting-edge, with a double axis in elevation and azimuth, offering extraordinary features and pointing precision, thanks to the new direct-drive technology. In addition, this system has its own open loop pointing electronics (APME).
– Dual axis steerable X/Ka-band medium gain antenna (MGAMA). It provides uplink and downlink communications between the JUICE spacecraft and Earth. It is an ADE reflector, powered by a feed and a dual rotary joint. It consists of a dual-axis pointing mechanism (APM) and its corresponding pointing mechanism electronics (APME).
– MGAMA X-band antenna for the Solar Orbiter scientific mission. The MGAMA system includes a medium gain horn, deployable boom with WR112 waveguides inside, dual-axis pointing mechanism, rotary joint, position sensors, hold down and release mechanism and thermal control.
– Pointing mechanism for Solar Orbiter’s high-gain antenna. In this case, the system operates in X/Ka band and includes a deployable boom with WR28 and WR112 waveguides inside, a dual-axis pointing mechanism, a dual-band rotary joint, position sensors, a hold down and release mechanism and thermal control.
We have an extensive portfolio of solutions for the transmission and reception of both payload and telemetry and telecommand signals for all types of missions, orbits and applications. The different solutions are adapted to your operating band, your radiation pattern, the operating power, as well as the thermal/mechanical requirements of the mission.
These antennas are typically used for GPS applications or TTC (Telemetry Tracking and Command) subsystems due to their wide-angle coverage, in:
Its design can be customized (radiation performance and/or mechanical configuration).
– L band, S band, C band, X band, Ku band, K band and Ka band.
– Linear/circular polarization (OMT, septum polarizer, etc.).
– Custom designed filters, diplexers or triplexers.
– Test couplers.
– Waveguide/coaxial interfaces. Internal waveguide loads.
– Intermediate flange, lateral bracket or vertical support.
– Implementation of desired pointing angle.
– Carbon fiber combined with aluminum alloy when convenient.
We develop designs adapted to specific mission requirements with special characteristics:
Baseline supplier of C-band telemetry filters for main platforms of geostationary telecom satellites in Europe, giving service to the majority of operators:
– High tested performance in CW power handling, multipaction and corona.
– Low PIM performance.
– Large amount of flight heritage.
– Hybrids, band pass filter stages, isolators, circulators.
– CW power handling tested up to 600W CW (Ku-band)/280W CW (Ka-band).
– For telemetry: corona tested up to 240W (Ku-band)/18W (Ka-band).
– Multipaction tested in Ku-band up to 480 Wpk (TM)/1200 Wpk (payload).
– Elliptic or pseudo-elliptic transfer functions for increased selectivity.
– High Performance in CW power handling, multipaction and corona.
– In-house qualified silver-plating finish for low insertion losses figure.
– Material selection for optimum thermal stability.
– Design for minimum footprint and low mass.
– PIM, CW power handling, multipaction and corona.
– Isolators, circulators, low pass filter stages, low noise amplifiers.
– Super Invar for improved thermal stability.
– In-house silver-plating facilities.
– Corrugated, ridge, waffle iron.
– Input and output isolators/circulators.
– WG to coaxial transitions.
– For TTC or payload subsystems.
– In-house silver-plating facilities.
– Input and output isolators/circulators.
– For payload and TTC subsystems.
– For input and output sections.
– CW power handling tested up to 1700W.
– Multipaction tested up to 3500 Wpk.
– PIM below 130 dBm (2 carriers of 500 W).
– Shock, band edge carrier/out of band carrier power handling, passive intermodulation.
– WR-229, WR-137, WR-112, WR-90, WR-75, WR-62, WR-51, WR-34, WR-28, WR-22.
– Waveguide internal or removable coaxial loads included, as required.
– TNC, SMA, SMK.
– CW PH tested at 8300 W (S band)/2000 W (C band)/2200 W (Ku band)/900 W (X band, Ka band).
– MP tested at 8400 Wpk (C band)/5200 Wpk (X band)/5600 Wpk (Ku band)/204 Wpk (Ka band).
– Corona tested at 120 W (Ku band)/350 W (Ka band).
– PIM tested in several bands (C band, Ku band, Ka band) with different test conditions (including 3rd order).
– In all bands: L band, S band, C band, X band, Ku band, Ka band.
– In all technologies: microstrip, stripline, waveguide, barline.
– WR-137, WR-112, WR-75, WR-62, WR-51, WR-34, WR-28, TNC, SMA, SMK, internal or removable waveguide or coaxial loads included, as required.
– Multipack assemblies to reduce footprint.
– Integration of isolators, circulators, filters
– Waveguide: WR-340, WR-229, WR-137, WR-112, WR-75, WR-62, WR-51, WR-28…
– Coaxial: TNC, SMA, SMK.
– Custom flange design, including half or quarter waveguide height.
– Connector pin grounded to chassis, when required.
– Axial or perpendicular orientation of connector.
– State of the art noise figure in a wide operational bandwidth.
– Low power consumption, small size and low mass.
– L band and S band for Mobile Satellite Systems (MSS).
– Ku band and Ka band for Fixed Satellite Systems (FSS).
– V band for GateWay Satellite Systems, under development. First stage MMIC prototype results and transitions show outstanding noise figure performance.
– Hundreds of flight units delivered and in orbit in L and S bands.
– Qualified in Ka band and under qualification in Ku band.
– Excellent phase noise Local Oscillators (LO).
– Standalone unit with integrated LO and high efficiency DC/DC converter.
– Compact solution of RF slices with centralized LO and CPSU.
– VHF band, L band, X band, Ku band.
– Flight heritage in geostationary telecommunication payloads, science, navigation and Earth observation missions.
– Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of satellites.
– Space exploration missions.
– Earth observation satellites.
– Almost 1,000 power detectors delivered, hundreds in orbit.
– Assembly of several inputs integrated in a single equipment.
We supply the high-capacity Earth Observation Data Downlink System (EODDL) for the future generation of LEO and MEO platforms.
EODDL is an adaptable product for dual X and Ka band or single X or Ka band, which we have fully designed, manufactured and tested. Dual-band provides flexibility to access the existing X-band earth station network and simultaneously increase capacity with Ka-band downlink based on earth station need and availability. Our system provides up to 2.6 Gbps per channel in X band and 1.4 Gbps in X band.
The EODDL product is composed of two su
– Payload Data Transmitter (PDT): generates, converts and amplifies the RF signal in X band, Ka band or both from the data received from OBC/PDHU.
Dual X/Ka Band Steerable Antenna (DBSA): ultra-compact dual-band design, with an innovative pointing system with direct drive technology and pointing mechanism electronics.
The PDT developed for the EODDL system is composed of four fundamental blocks:
In addition to the PDT, Sener Aeroespacial is capable of providing complete E2E solutions that cover:
· Data downlink antenna, either in a steerable version in Ka or X/Ka band like the DBSA product, initially developed for the Galileo system.
· Vn fixed antenna version, typically with X-band isoflux patterns.
The main characteristics of the PDT are:
• Standard CSDS 131.2-B-1 with 27 ACMs (up to 64APSK).
• ACM/VCM.
• 500 Msps @ K-band (26 GHz): >2.6 Gbps.
• 275 Msps @ X-band (8 GHz): >1.4 Gbps.
• Spacefibre Payload Data I/F.
• RS-422 TMTC I/F.
• X&K GaN SSPAs: Max. RF power 20W & 40W.
• Integrated PSU compatible with 22-37V.
• EEE Class 3 & Hi-Rel.
• Mass < 5 kg.
• Dimensions: 185 mm x 90 mm x 180 mm.
We provide both receiving and transmitting RF equipment and systems, based on space-qualified technologies and in a frequency range from VHF (hundreds of MHz) to Q-band (44 GHz).
We have a complete catalog of RF functional blocks, highlighting LNAs, frequency converters, local oscillators, SSPAs, RF power detectors, etc., which we supply as “off-the-shelf” components or adapt for specific applications.
We also offer equipment that we refer to as “subsystems” and that integrate several functions:
Guidance, Navigation and Control systems (AOCS/GNC) make up one of Sener Aeroespacial’s main activities in the space industry. In this field we stand out for the following disciplines:
· Attitude and orbit control systems (AOCS).
· Guidance, navigation and control systems (GNC).
· Navigation and flight termination system for launchers (NAVIGA).
· Testing equipment for AOCS and GNC (GATB).
Ever since we started designing AOCS/GNC systems in the nineties, our level of responsibility has evolved, and today we are a leading company in this field of technology and a main contractor at the subsystem level.
Thus, following the success of the AOCS for the Herschel and Planck scientific missions, which we executed as a consortium, we have developed the GNC for the IXV (Intermediate eXperimental Vehicle). Currently, we are the main contractor for Proba-3, with responsibility for the entire mission, in addition to being responsible for its GNC subsystem, the Space Rider GNC —Europe’s first reusable space transportation system— and for the AOCS on Euclid, a top-level scientific mission by the ESA, for which we are acting as the final authority on its subsystem.
The bulk of our activity in AOCS/GNC systems covers all the elements of the value chain of these subsystems, with proven capabilities in:
· Systems and subsystems engineering: Proba-3, Euclid, AERIAL and SPADS.
· Advanced control techniques (robust control, predictive control): LISA and AI4GNC.
· Attitude control: Herschel and Planck.
· Atmospheric reentry and landing flight: Space Rider
· Guidance and trajectory optimization solutions: IXV and Space Rider.
· Solutions based on artificial intelligence and machine learning: AI4GNC
Our activity in this field focuses on the development of equipment and on-board units that require in-depth knowledge of localization and positioning techniques. In particular, Sener Aeroespacial is developing the navigation unit for VEGA-C, the future version of the European VEGA launcher, as well as autonomous flight termination units for microlaunchers.
We have a wide range of solutions in the field of power electronics for space. Power supply units and, in particular, DC/DC converters, are a fundamental part of the electrical power system. Their function is to provide the necessary energy to scientific instruments, actuators and motors, as well as to radio frequency equipment to carry out their objectives. Their reliability has been proven over more than 20 years of space missions and hundreds of units delivered without any recorded failures in orbit.
The Sener Aeroespacial power supply units are found in various types of satellites and space probes:
· Earth observation.
· Scientific missions.
· Communications satellites.
· Deep space probes.
Thanks to our experience and facilities, we meet the needs of projects that require both unique custom designs and large productions. Our capabilities cover all phases of the project, from conception to manufacturing and testing in order to ensure compliance with all requirements.
Our power supply units are characterized by:
· Power management between 1 W and 200 W.
· Compatibility with the most widely used satellite platforms, both in science and communications missions.
· Control interfaces based on discrete commands or digital communication buses such as CAN bus, MIL-STD-1553B or proprietary buses.
· Redundant solutions, protections against failures and security mechanisms.
We believe in the need to develop technologically advanced national capabilities so that our armed forces, in collaboration with their international allies, can ensure that our society is kept safe. We know that the future belongs to those who collaborate and establish partnerships, a conviction with which we participate in defense programs of vital importance for our environment.
Our optical technology is present in some of the largest and most important telescopes in the scientific industry, from the Hubble to the GTC in the Canary Islands.
We have been working with the main manufacturers of airspace surveillance radars for more than 15 years. Our clients vouch for the quality with which we design and produce large-aperture antennas,
We have half a century of experience in the broadcast sector. We combine our offer in the design and manufacture of antennas and components, with tools that support our clients from the installation to the commissioning of the systems.
