SATCOMBw

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SATCOMBw is the Bundeswehr's satellite-based communication system . The system operated by Airbus Defense and Space enables the military, among other things, to make tap-proof telephone calls, video conferences and Internet access around the world . In the current "Stage 2", which has been in operation since the end of 2011, the system is based on the two communications satellites COMSATBw-1 and COMSATBw-2, with which the ground stations of the Bundeswehr and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) is communicated. Before they went live, the satellites were known as SATCOMBw-2a and SATCOMBw-2b.

History and future of the system

Forerunners of SATCOMBw were the systems TriMilSat (with France and Great Britain, 1990–1997) and MilSatCom (with France, 1997–1999).

While SATCOMBw level 0 and SATCOMBw level 1 are based on rented satellite connections, the new system SATCOMBw level 2 integrates two of its own military satellites (one each for the eastern and western hemisphere of interest).

The planning for stage 2 provided for an expansion of the ground segment, in particular the construction of a new control and anchor station on the grounds of the Weilheim ground station of the German Space Control Center , the expansion of the existing ground stations in Kastellaun and Gerolstein and the delivery of two transportable control stations for domestic and international assignments. The costs including operation over 15 years were estimated at around 950 million euros.

The Bundeswehr IT department placed the order to operate SATCOMBw level 2 on July 5, 2006, to MilSat Services GmbH , based in Bremen , a joint venture between EADS Space Services and ND SatCom established for this purpose . Important subcontractors are EADS Astrium , responsible for providing the satellites, DLR as operator of the satellite constellation, Arianespace as operator of the launcher , Thales Alenia Space as supplier of the satellites, and Intelsat , which also provides commercial transmission capacities. The system should be operational from January 1st, 2012.

In March 2016 it was announced that Airbus Defense and Space would continue to operate SATCOMBw alone until 2022. For this purpose, the Airbus subsidiary Airbus DS GmbH , based in Taufkirchen near Munich, took over MilSat Services GmbH . The Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) signed a contract with the company worth 145 million euros. This includes the operation of the COMSATBw satellites, the ground station in Weilheim and the associated networks.Template: future / in 2 years

The planned stage 3 of the SATCOMBw system provides for the replacement of COMSATBw-1 and -2 with more powerful satellites and adjustments to the ground segment. The goal is a high data rate connection, especially between satellites and flying platforms.

COMSATBw satellites

The two satellites built by Thales Alenia Space at launch, each weighing 2,440 kg, are based on the Spacebus 3000 B2 satellite bus . The curb weight is 1040 kg each. Astrium subsidiary Tesat-Spacecom contributed the communication payload . This consists of four transponders in the military area of ​​the X band (also known as SHF band) and five in the UHF band on board. The cuboid satellites are three-axis stabilized, have a size of 2.8 m × 1.8 m × 2.9 m and a span of the solar cell boom of 17.2 m, which deliver an output of 3.2 kilowatts ( end of life ). The planned service life is 15 years. The apogee motors of the satellites burn monomethylhydrazine and mixed oxides of nitrogen while the thrusters for attitude control decompose hydrazine catalytically.

The COMSATBw-1 satellite ( also referred to as SATCOMBw-2a because of project stage 2 ) was launched on October 1, 2009 at 21:59 UTC together with Amazonas 2 with an Ariane 5 ECA from the European spaceport Center Spatial Guyanais in Kourou (French Guiana) started and deposited in a geostationary transfer orbit . COMSATBw-1 was positioned as a geostationary satellite at 63 ° East. To do this, his apogee motor was ignited four times. Its launch mass was 2440 kg.

The start of COMSATBw-2 ( also known as SATCOMBw-2b because of project stage 2 ) was supposed to take place on March 26, 2010 together with Astra 3B 'with an Ariane 5 ECA from the European spaceport Center Spatial Guyanais in Kourou (French Guiana) postponed three times. The launch finally took place on May 21, 2010 at 22:01 UTC. The take-off mass of COMSATBw-2 is 2440 kg and it was positioned at 13.2 ° East, at an altitude of around 36,000 km, exactly above the equator. The positioning and control of the satellite in geostationary orbit is carried out, as with COMSATBw-1, by the DLR space control center in Oberpfaffenhofen , which was able to establish contact with COMSATBw-2 33 minutes after take-off.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. Gunter Krebs: COMSATBw 1, 2. In: Gunter's Space Page. September 27, 2009, accessed October 2, 2009 .
  2. ^ Gerhard Hegmann: Bundeswehr arming in space . Financial Times Deutschland, September 23, 2009, archived from the original on September 28, 2009 ; Retrieved October 2, 2009 .
  3. Milsat Services GmbH becomes Airbus DS GmbH . Airbus Defense and Space, accessed October 2, 2019.
  4. Airbus Defense and Space will operate the Bundeswehr's military satellite system for another seven years. (PDF; 0.1 MB) In: dglr.de. Airbus Defense and Space, March 3, 2016, accessed March 15, 2016 .
  5. Interview with Major General Heinrich-Wilhelm Steiner in wehrtechnik VI / 2016
  6. a b c d Arianespace press material on the start of COMSATBw-1 (PDF)
  7. a b Arianespace press material on the start of COMSATBw-2 (PDF)
  8. SATCOMBw - Information from the IT-AmtBW ( Memento from May 24th 2010 in the Internet Archive )
  9. Small and yet very big: there is a lot of high-quality technology in satellite drive systems ( Memento from November 20, 2015 in the Internet Archive ). Airbus Defense and Space, January 26, 2012, accessed November 20, 2015.
  10. Another successful dual launch: Arianespace orbits AMAZONAS-2 & COMSATBw-1 - 33rd successful Ariane 5 launch in a row. Arianespace, October 1, 2009, accessed October 2, 2009 .
  11. COMSATBw1 successfully put into operation . DLR
  12. Ariane 5 makes history with its successful mission to orbit ASTRA 3B and COMSATBw-2. Arianespace, May 21, 2010, accessed May 22, 2010 .
  13. Second communications satellite launched for the Bundeswehr on board the 50th Ariane 5. DLR, May 22, 2010, accessed on May 24, 2010 (German).