Specialists of the Russian Space Systems Holding (RKS, part of the Roscosmos State Corporation) have completed the development of an onboard antenna system for promising Skif series satellites. This system guarantees stable broadband data transmission at speeds of up to 420 megabits per second in hard-to-reach areas of Russia and in the future on the whole Earth, the RCS said in a statement.
The new technology is based on the use of an on-board antenna of the AFAR type (active phased array antenna), which relays data to ground users. The key feature of this type of antenna is the "adaptive" directivity of the beams, which can form a service area of a given shape at any point on the Earth's surface.
The main element of the antenna is a crystal chip (core-chip – control processor), which is responsible for the formation and direction of the beam. The antenna is fully unified, has modern characteristics, is based on electronic components developed by the RCS according to the concept of an integrated on-board information system (IBIS), which accelerates its production, reduces cost and allows it to be upgraded for different types of satellites. In the future, serial production of these AFARS may be launched.
The Skif satellite constellation will consist of 12 spacecraft in three orbital planes at an altitude of 8 thousand km, ground control complexes and subscriber equipment. The system is designed to provide high-speed Internet to hard-to-reach and remote areas of Russia, as well as ships on the Northern Sea Route.
JSC "Russian Space Systems" (part of the State Corporation "Roscosmos") has been developing, manufacturing, testing, supplying and operating onboard and ground-based equipment and space information systems for scientific and socio-economic purposes since 1946. The main areas of activity are the creation, development and targeted use of the global navigation satellite system GLONASS; ground–based spacecraft control complex; space search and rescue systems, hydrometeorological support, radio engineering support for scientific space research; ground-based points for receiving and processing information from remote sensing of the Earth. The holding "Russian Space Systems" unites the leading enterprises of space instrumentation in Russia: the Scientific Research Institute of Precision Instruments (JSC "Scientific Research Institute of TP"), the Scientific and Production Association of Measuring Equipment (JSC "NPO IT"), the Scientific Research Institute of Physical Measurements (JSC "NIIFI"), the Special Design Bureau of MEI (JSC "OKB MEI"), Scientific and Production Organization "Orion" (JSC "NPO "Orion") and JSC "Yaroslavl Radio Plant" (YARZ).
ROSCOSMOS is a state corporation established in August 2015 to carry out a comprehensive reform of the Russian rocket and space industry. ROSCOSMOS ensures the implementation of state policy in the field of space activities and its regulatory and legal regulation, and also places orders for the development, production and supply of space technology and space infrastructure facilities. Its functions also include the development of international cooperation in the space sphere, as well as the creation of conditions for the use of the results of space activities for the socio-economic development of Russia.
