Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC)

CGC Technology has recently supplied four tracking antennas through Thorn SDS to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) for the Disaster Monitoring Constellation.

CGC designed and manufactured the Antenna, which is based on the X/Y principle and is ideally suited to Low Earth Orbiting applications because of its low slew rates, and no-cone of silence. This all adds up to a fewer moving parts with lower maintenance issues and a longer life.

With the X/Y design the zenith keyhole is moved from zenith to two locations on the horizon. In practice, these two keyholes are aligned east and west such that the keyhole area is at the extreme edge of all polar orbit tracks, and has the least impact on almost all inclined orbit tracks. When the satellite is in the region of the east/west keyhole, it is at greatest range from the ground station, and is travelling at the slowest velocity relative to the ground antenna. The cone of uncertainty around each keyhole is around 2 degrees, meaning that any satellite above 2 degrees elevation angle, anywhere in the hemisphere, can be tracked without difficulty, regardless of the orbit type. Furthermore, any spacecraft can be tracked all the way round the horizon in any direction other than the 2 degree cone around each east/west keyhole.

CGC Technology currently offers X/Y Antennas for fixed and transportable applications, with reflectors in the range 1.8m to 7m diameter, and has the unique ability to customise the design to meet customer requirements. The rugged and robust construction ensures long life and high reliability, with antennas located in such harsh environmental extremes as from the Arctic Circle to Persian Gulf. We can provide Civil Engineering and Site Installation as required.