On February 1, an important stage in the integration process of the ARSAT-2 telecommunication satellite was successfully completed at the headquarters of INVAP (Applied Research Company), in Bariloche.<\/p>\n
The satellite is the second of a series of three that ARSAT (Argentine Company for Satellite Solutions) \u2014dependent on the National Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services\u2014 is manufacturing together with INVAP in Argentina, in the context of the Argentine Geostationary Telecommunications Satellite System (SSGAT, in Spanish).<\/p>\n
The mating procedure involves integrating two fundamental parts of a geostationary satellite, the Service Module and the Communication Module. INVAP\u2019s experts carried out this procedure with the support and under the supervision of ARSAT\u2019s and Thales Alenia Space\u2019s staff. The mating of the ARSAT-1 \u2014the first satellite of this series, which will be launched in mid-2014\u2014 took place about a year ago.<\/p>\n
The payload is located in the Communication Module. It includes the transponders, their corresponding electronic components and the antennas. Since the payload receives, amplifies and retransmits radio frequency signals, it is essential for providing telecommunication services.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, the Service Module includes structural capacity, as well as the power altitude and thermal control subsystems, among others, \u2014necessary for orbital control and that of the services allowing a satisfactory payload performance.<\/p>\n
The process of mechanical assembly and electrical integration of the Communication and Service Modules began almost a year ago and now their mating finally made the satellite to take form. The building work will be completed over the next few months with the assembly of external elements, mainly the three communication antennas of the payload, and the propellers and sensors.<\/p>\n