Ground Segments
A space mission is more than just satellites in space. We develop and supply customized, fully automated ground segments for a wide range of satellite systems and mission profiles.
We think satellite ground infrastructure from start to finish - from the graphical environment for order entry to data delivery. With our solutions, everything comes from a single source. Guided by the usage concept for the overall system and the specific requirements of our customers, we implement state-of-the-art ground stations, control centers, training systems and software. Thanks to a modular architecture and a scalable structure, changes can still be made to the configuration of our systems during operation. This allows us to react flexibly to changing requirements during the course of the mission. Redundancies in important system components guarantee a high level of reliability and fail-safety.
Our Services
Ground Stations
We supply ground stations for the highest demands.
Our portfolio of customizable antennas connects operators and end users to satellites in all orbits and deep space - quickly, reliably and cost-effectively.
We are also experts in the maintenance of existing systems from all manufacturers. We advise our customers worldwide and find the best solutions to prepare existing ground stations for future tasks.
Control Centers
Our control centers create the conditions for smooth satellite operations.
Especially in critical moments (e.g. LEOP), all systems and interfaces in the control room must function reliably. However, the well-being of the human operators also plays a decisive role when it comes to avoiding errors.
For this reason, when designing our control rooms, we place particular emphasis not only on the performance and reliability of the technical components, but also on the greatest possible comfort of the workstations provided.
All our control centers have a modular design, which allows them to be adapted to a wide variety of mission types. This means that changes and extensions can be made even during operation if required. A high degree of automation can also be implemented at the customer's request, which greatly reduces the burden on operators with routine activities.
Training facilities
We turn operators into experts for our systems. In addition to operational ground segments, we also develop simulators for testing and training purposes.
Software
Our software unlocks the full performance of modern satellite instruments and covers the entire processing chain: From the initial data request to commanding and controlling the satellites to analyzing and evaluating the data - including encryption wherever necessary.
In order to keep personnel costs as low as possible, we place great value on automation. When developing software, we use agile methods similar to those used elsewhere in the space industry. This allows us to closely involve our customers and users in the development process.
Our References
Ground segments for German reconnaissance satellites
We developed and supplied secure ground segments for the German SAR-Lupe and SARah reconnaissance missions on behalf of the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). Building on this, we were also commissioned with the ground segment for the "Europeanisation of Satellite Based Reconnaissance" (E-SGA) program. This offers the possibility of connecting European partners to the SAR-Lupe system and enabling them to commission their own radar data. As part of this program, we also set up the F-SLGS (French SAR-Lupe Ground Segment) for our partner France.
Ground segment for satellites with electric propulsion
For the Electra platform developed by our sister company OHB System, we are working on a ground segment specially tailored to the requirements of a satellite with purely electric propulsion. The longer transfer phase compared to conventional chemical propulsion systems places special demands on the ground segment. Foresighted planning of the satellite's movements and collision avoidance are among the core elements, as classic evasive maneuvers are not possible.
![Electra_Scene_v02a_med[1]](https://ohb-dc.de/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Electra_Scene_v02a_med1-r45hpnc684z5uy5livnrfs2jy7997sytdalinnmy4g.png "Electra_Scene_v02a_med[1]")
Flexible control centre in Bremen
With the Multi-Mission Control Center (MMCC ), we have set up a flexible control center at our Bremen site that is designed for the simultaneous operation of several missions. The MMCC can be used to control, monitor and support space missions in various phases. With BEACON, we also have our own ground station directly on site, which is integrated into the MMCC. The MMCC is available for use by our sister companies and external customers.