Thales Alenia Space España has been chosen to supply the X-band communication subsystems and the S-band telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) transponders for the first three Sentinel observation satellites in the European Space Agency’s Kopernikus programme, which was formerly known as Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES).
The Sentinel satellites are being developed as part of the Space Component of the Kopernikus programme, which is being co-funded by the European Commission.
As prime contractor for the X-band communication subsystem, Thales Alenia Space España leads a consortium including the Thales Alenia Space France and Belgian companies.
They are responsible for the specification, design, assembly, integration, and testing and delivery of this assembly for the Sentinel 1, 2 and 3 satellite families, as well as for the three recurrent ones.
Thales Alenia Space’s Spanish subsidiary will also develop, manufacture and supply the S-band TT&C transponders for the three Sentinel satellites. The X-band subsystem transmits high data volumes from observation satellites in low Earth orbit to ground stations. The downlink data rate, based on an innovative arrangement of two frequency-multiplexed RF channels, exceeds 600 Mbps. The S-band TT&C transponders allow Earth stations to control and communicate with the satellite.