“In Galileo, the System Compatibility Test Campaigns mark a pivotal moment in the development lifecycle of new generations of satellites and ground segment. It is the moment where requirements, reviews and subsystem development pass the torch to the reality of hardware and software validation across all industrial actors,” says Miguel Manteiga Bautista, Head of ESA's Galileo Programme.

In a first round of compatibility tests last year, a representative model of the satellite was able to connect and communicate with test equipment emulating ground control in a clean room test in Rome. Now, for the first time, the Thales Alenia Space satellite model in the TAS integration facilities in Rome, Italy, has been successfully connected to the operational Galileo Control Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, which is managed by Spaceopal's Galileo operational teams.

Together with the Control Centre in Fucino, Italy, these facilities generate the navigation message, keep satellites on time, pinpoint their position and sense possible drifts, process data and monitor the reliability of the constellation.

“The first end-to-end SCTC tests with the TAS satellites, combined with the upcoming tests for the ADS satellites will ensure that Galileo Second Generation risks are mitigated well ahead of their launch, through early identification of inter-compatibility issues that need to be resolved,” notes Daniel Docal Lareu, ESA Galileo System Qualification Manager.

During the test, the control centre activated the payload in the satellite model, which generates the navigation signal, and delivered commands that the satellite was able to acquire, interpret and execute. The satellite model also sent back telemetry data on its operational status.

“We have seen a very successful compatibility test, confirming that the new ground segment will be able to operate the Galileo Second Generation satellites. We are now eager to complete satellite integration and begin testing the first flight models and all their innovative capabilities,” says Dr. Sven Erb, ESA project manager for the Thales Alenia Space satellites.

The equivalent compatibility tests for the Airbus Defence and Space G2 satellites are planned in the coming weeks.