PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The Mobile TV S-Band Repeater project incorporates two big domains. Although each one is focused on a different objective, both of them are complementary and make complete sense when considered as a whole.
- At repeater level, the main objective is to develop the capabilities of Thales Alenia Space ? España for S-Band repeaters management and to ensure its leadership in future opportunities that may rise. In order to support this knowledge acquisition, the project includes the development of a simulation tool, fully representative of the repeater performances.
- At equipment level, the project is aimed at developing and qualifying a number of key equipments, included the S-Band repeaters (forward and return links), that will position the company for future missions. Also the management of these developments reinforces the first domain as it is considered a first opportunity.
Challenges
The key points that will be developed in the present project can be summarized as following:
- Repeater engineering skills acquisition. Project management, deviation impact analysis and mitigation, payload activities, final integration and testing, etc, are part of the activities that will be carried out during the project duration.
- Simulation tool design, implementation and testing,
- Key units design, manufacturing and testing up to EQM level,
- Repeater integration and testing follow-up.
Plan
The project will be developed over 30 months starting in 2006. All the pieces of equipment being designed and tested will follow the standard planning, with the usual milestones from the design review to the Test results review. With respect to the repeater simulator, it will be based on the specifications generated in the first stages of the project, tested with the partial results obtained at equipment level and integrated in the repeater design phase workflow for future flight opportunities by extrapolating the obtained results.
Current Status
Activities in all levels are currently being carried out in the frame of this Mobile TV S-Band Repeater project.
At equipment level, preliminary designs of all the units that are included in the project, have already started. Baseline Design Reviews will take place in the near future.
At repeater engineering level, the main actions that are currently ongoing are related with the creation of an integrated team composed by Thales Alenia Space – France and Thales Alenia Space – España. The teams will cooperate during the different phases of the project to assure the correct transfer of skills from France to Spain. This cooperation will ensure the continuity of the heritage that Thales Alenia Space has today in S-Band repeaters.