9th Australian Symposium on Antennas, Sydney, Australia, 16-17 Feb.

2005

ESA’S DEEP SPACE ANTENNAS IN NEW NORCIA/W.AUSTRALIA AND

CEBREROS/SPAIN

Author: Rolf Martin, OPS-GSA, rolf.martin@esa.int

Co-Author: Manfred Warhaut, OPS-OP, manfred.warhaut@esa.int
Tel: +49 6151-902915, Fax: +496151-903046
ESA/ESOC (European Space Agency/European Space Operations Centre)
Robert-Bosch-Str. 5
D-64293 Darmstadt (Germany)

Abstract
ESA’s first Deep-Space Antenna (DSA) was erected in New Norcia in Western Australia and
underwent final acceptance testing in July 2002. Following
successful validation, including tests with the Stardust,
Ulysses and Cassini spacecraft, operational readiness was
achieved in November 2002. Since June 2003 the DSA has
been in use for the European Mars Express project and the
Rosetta spacecraft which was launched in March 2004. The
antenna has a diameter of 35 meters and can transmit and
receive S- (2 GHz) and X-band (8 GHz) frequencies and is
already prepared for Ka-band reception (32 GHz). The
second ESA Deep Space Antenna is under erection in
Cebreros/Spain, very close to NASA’s Deep Space
Network site at Robledo. This second antenna is specified
for X-band transmission and reception and Ka-band
reception. Optionally, the antenna can be upgraded to Ka-
band transmit frequencies. The acceptance is scheduled for
mid 2005 and the antenna will be used for the European
Venus Express spacecraft to be launched in October 2005.
A third antenna with similar performance is under discussion to complete the European Deep Space
network (EDSN).
The paper describes the system design of the first European Deep-Space Antenna system and the
specific equipment that had to be developed for the project. The 35 meter parabolic reflector
antennas include a full-motion, turning-head pedestal with a beam-waveguide feed system,
cryogenically-cooled S-, X-, and Ka-band Low-Noise Amplifiers (LNAs), 20 kilowatt S- and X-
band transmitters and all other supporting equipment of the front-end. The antennas are amongst the
largest in the world used for TT&C applications and represent the jewels in the crown of the
European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) ground station network.
The paper will highlight the peculiarities and new developments required for the second antenna,
compared to the first one. The major differences are in the higher pointing precision capabilities for
Ka-band and the preparation for the Ka-band transmit frequencies. A special Pointing Calibration
System, which is in development, will be needed to achieve the required accuracy of 6 mdeg. It also
requires the development of an X/Ka-band dichroic mirror.