Kiruna station
The Kiruna S- and X-band station supports ENVISAT, GOCE and CryoSat-2. For ESTRACK, Kiruna hosts one 15m and one 13m antenna. Both operate in S-band for uplink and downlink and X-band for downlink. The station is located at Salmijärvi, 38 km east of Kiruna, in northern Sweden
Location
The coordinates of the KIR-1 antenna are +67° 51' 25.66", +20° 57' 51.57". The antenna is sited at 402.2 meters with respect to the WGS-84 reference ellipsoid, a mathematically-defined reference surface that approximates the Earth's geoid surface. The coordinates of the KIR-2 antenna are 67.858428° North and 20.966880° East. The antenna is sited at 385.8 meters with respect to the WGS-84 reference ellipsoid.
Facilities & technology
Kiruna hosts the following antennas:
- KIR-1: 15m-diameter dish antenna with reception and transmission in S-band, and reception in X-band. Autotrack and program track capability in S-band.
- KIR-2: 13m-diameter dish antenna with reception and transmission in S-band and reception in X-band. Autotrack and program track capability in both S- and X-band.
Both antennas provide facilities for tracking, telemetry, telecommand and radiometric measurements (ranging, Doppler, meteo) in S-band.
X-band reception is used for high-rate payload data for Earth observation and scientific missions. The station has a frequency and timing system, a monitoring and control system and full diversity communications are enabled via the ESA Operations Network (OPSNET).
The site is equipped with a no-break power plant providing electrical power to all mission critical equipment. The Kiruna station hosts project-dedicated Payload Data Segments (PDSs) for ENVISAT and Cryosat-2. The PDSs receive, process and distribute the high-rate payload data to users.
GOCE scientific data is received in S-band and distributed to ESA/ESRIN. A backup satellite control system for ENVISAT is installed and used in the event of failure of the prime system at ESOC.
Operations
The station provides routine support for satellites in low Earth orbits (LEO) and periodic support during Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP).
The station's location at a high-latitude position, in northern Sweden, plays a primary role supporting ESA low Earth orbiting satellites as it provides visibility for 10 to 12 out of 14 daily orbits.
All routine operations of the Kiruna ground station are fully automated and controlled from the ESTRACK Control Centre (ECC) at ESA/ESOC, Darmstadt. Local station operations and maintenance at the station is performed by the SSC.
GPS-TDAF, GESS
A GPS-TDAF (GPS Tracking and Data Analysis Facility) dual-frequency receiver system with geodetic accuracy is installed on the site, which delivers continuous measurements to the ESOC Navigation Facility.
The station is also equipped with a Galileo Experimental Sensor Station (GESS) receiver, which also delivers continuous data to ESOC.
Access & contact
There are flights to Kiruna direct from Stockholm or from Stockholm via Luleå. From Kiruna airport, hire care or taxi is necessary.
From the town of Kiruna, follow the E10 toward Luleå. From the airport, follow the signs for Kiruna/ Luleå for approximately one kilometre. At the first main junction, turn right on the E10 toward Luleå.
After approximately 6 kilometres from the airport road junction, turn left at the signs to ESRANGE and Jukkasjärvi. After approximately another 6 kilometres, turn left in the centre of Jukkasjärvi following the signs for ESRANGE and ESA Satellite Station. Continue for a further 18 kilometres. The Kiruna ground station is located on the left side of the road. ESRANGE is approximately 7 kilometres further along the same road.
The ESOC point of contact is:
Head of Ground Facilities Operations Div. (OPS-ON)
ESOC, Darmstadt
Tel: +49-6151-90-0
The local point of contact is:
Anders Pääjärvi, ESA Station Manager
anders.paajarvi [@] esa.int
Tel: +46-980-76000
Fax: +46-980-17121
The postal address of the station is:
ESA Satellite Station
PO Box 815
SE-981 28 Kiruna
Sweden
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