Integration Testing
Successful simultaneous reception and transmission of X-band signals from Hayabusa2 by the main and secondary systems
On September 22, 2023 (Fri.) from 08:30 to 12:20 and 13:40 to 15:40 (Japan Standard Time), we conducted an end-to-end test with HAYABUSA2. On that day, with the cooperation of Hayabusa2, we conducted X-band reception and transmission (two reception and transmission systems using the main and secondary systems) using the newly installed secondary and main systems at the Misasa station, and the test was completed without any problems. The following photo shows the operation scene at the time of reception of signals from Hayabusa2.
Spectrum waveforms showing the reception status from Hayabusa2. The left is the main system reception and the right is the secondary system reception.
X-band/Ka-band from MPO recieved simultaneously
On July 19, 2023 (Wed.) from 15:00 to 19:00 (JST), an End to End test was conducted with the MPO spacecraft (Mercury Planetary Orbiter belonging to ESA: European Space Agency), which is on its way to Mercury. With the cooperation of ESA, telemetry acquisition, transmission, and command operation using the X-band, as well as Ka-band independent reception by the Misasa station, were conducted at the same time without any problems. This is the first time in Japan that X-band and Ka-band data are received simultaneously. This is expected to expand the range of data transmission acquired by the spacecraft.
The operation was done directily from Misasa through newly developped station controll system, instead of remote operation from TKSC.
54m following MPO.
Frequency spectrum of recieved radio waves from MPO. Left one is X-band(8GHz), right one is Ka-band(32GHz).
Integration Testing has started.
The GREAT2 project has been developing and maintaining a redundant system for the Misasa station since April 2021. Because of the complexity of the system and the many companies involved, individual subsystems (e.g., antenna subsystem, transmitter/receiver subsystem, station operation and control subsystem, X-band low-noise receiver/amplifier, standard time and reference signal equipment, auxiliary equipment (NAS battery, wind power generation), operation planning system, and infrastructure network) are developed by each company, The JAXA integrator system is adopted, in which the subsystems are assigned to each company, and the entire system is finally integrated by JAXA. Since the subsystems have been completed by the end of May 2023, JAXA started the integration test on June 5. The integration test will be conducted in sequence until the end of September through an interface test between multiple subsystems, a ground system data test that integrates the entire ground system (between bases, for example, the ground station for Misasa deep space exploration, Tsukuba Space Center, and Sagamihara Campus), and an end-to-end test using the spacecraft. The end-to-end test will be carried out sequentially until the end of September.
