Uplink and Broadcast Services
Goonhilly provides reliable, cost-effective and secure uplink and broadcast services. We can uplink to any commercial satellite at C, Ku or Ka Band in the longitude range 70ºE-0º-80ºW.
Our fibre network connects to London Telehouse and Equinix exchanges, and via sub-sea cable to the entire planet.
Satellite Internet
Our satellite Internet service can be based on our own iDirect hubs managed directly by us, on a VNO (virtual network operator) basis where you take control of our equipment, on hosted VNO where your hardware is supported in our hub, or a pure co-location service where we host your equipment.
The options are entirely up to you. You may install your own hub equipment and we can provide installation and on-going maintenance and support as you require.
Telemetry, Tracking and Command (TT&C)
We have many years of experience in providing a number of simultaneous TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking and Command) services from various antennas at Goonhilly. This includes the provision of satellite drift mission support. This work is only entrusted to a small group of earth stations around the world and Goonhilly has the right combination of experienced engineers and multiple antenna assets to provide these services.
We are “on net” with many satellite operators – connecting Goonhilly directly and securely to their dedicated “Satellite Operation Centres” around the world.
The TT&C ground station provides the secure data communications link between the satellite operations centre (SOC) and the spacecraft to monitor and control the status and operation of its subsystems ensuring that the satellite performs as expected.
Within a TT&C service, the three main functions are to:
- Receive and demodulate beacon signals from the satellite to monitor the health of the on-board sub-systems
- Track and determine the location of the spacecraft through the transmission, reception and processing of ranging signals
- Modulate, and transmit encoded commands to the satellite to control, activate, deactivate and reconfigure subsystems and modes of operation, repoint directional antennas
TT&C manages subsystems and functions including attitude control, station-keeping, power, thermal, payload and fuel pressures.
Carrier Monitoring
Carrier Monitoring is a vital function for satellite operators in the quest to minimize interference and to ensure correct use of the limited satellite power-bandwidth resource. Many hours of service can be lost due to "EIRP creep" where teleport operators occasionally nudge up their Tx-power to give themselves an advantage over adjacent carriers. This simply causes other operators to follow suit in a nudging battle until the transponder becomes saturated and intermodulation products take over. Managing a delicate climb down is time-consuming and risks loss of service for one or more customer.
Equally, carrier monitoring can detect early signs of equipment failure or maintenance need. It is also a key part of the alignment process for new services.
Goonhilly can provide a range of carrier monitoring services, from simply providing access to an antenna within the desired footprint of the satellite to fully serviced, calibrated measurement and dispute arbitration service for adjacent satellite operators. We can use our own spectrum analysers or host equipment on behalf of customers.
Earth Station Verification Assistance (ESVA)
We can remotely test the co-polar and cross-polar gain pattern performance of Ku or C-Band antennas almost anywhere in the world.
This process, known as ESVA (Earth Station Verification Assistance) uses the calibrated test antennas at Goonhilly along with a live satellite link to measure the characteristics of a remote antenna.
Most satellite operators require newly assembled antennas to be verified to ensure they meet off-axis and cross polarisation performance requirements.
We have been carrying out these tests for many years and can provide assistance if needed.
ESVA testing is also a useful tool for assessing antenna misalignment. For an antenna that has a problem with cross polarisation, the problem is frequently that the antenna shape had become compressed in one or more axes.
The nature of the orthogonal measurements in the ESVA process identifies and quantifies both the magnitude and direction of this distortion with some additional calculations.
Gateway Operations
Satellite gateways are becoming increasingly important for LEO and constellation operators. Already an established gateway provider, Goonhilly has the space, connectivity and reliability to provide cost-effective gateway hosting.
Earth Observation (EO) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Operations
Earth Observation and Low Earth Orbit operations require a different type of antenna to the standard teleport antenna. Agility, the ability to point anywhere in the sky and operation at the appropriate frequency bands (usually VHF, UHF, S and X) are the key attributes.
In addition to hosting a number of agile X-Y mount antennas, we are developing Phased Array solutions for the LEO market in our Receiver Factory facility.
Launch and Early Operations (LEOP)
Goonhilly provides Launch and Early Operations support for key clients. We're proud to be assisting with some of the highest profile missions launching today. Please contact us for any LEOP requirements.
Goonhilly is a key partner in Spaceport Cornwall. We are helping to define the requirements for launch range, tracking and safety to allow horizontal takeoff from Cornwall Airport Newquay. We have worked extensively with Virgin Orbit and the team at Spaceport working towards the first UK space launch.
Deep Space Communications
We are the
pioneer in commercial Deep Space Communications. Please see our full information on
Lunar & Deep SpaceCommunications
Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd (Company No-06896077) VAT No: 109807310 - Registered office: Goonhilly Downs, Helston, Cornwall, TR12 6LQ.