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MGEX Constellations

MGEX Constellations
MGEX

Constellations

Status information and reference data for the various navigation satellite systems can be obtained below. Primary attention is given to the emerging constellations that are currently deployed and undergoing initial validation.

GPS

GPS

Information on the current status of the GPS constellation is available on the web sites of the US Coast Guard. A graphical constellation chart along with a status table is maintained by the University of New Brunswick.Current updates on the service availability of individual satellites are provided in Notice Advisory to Navstar Users (NANU) messages, which are likewise available from the US Coast Guard.

CNAV

Between June 15 and 29, 2013, the GPS Directorate conducted a first live transmission of CNAV navigation messages as described in the L2C L5 CNAV Test Plan. The test involved all fully operational Block IIR-M and IIF satellites transmitting L2C and, in part, L5 signals.

As part of the MGEX project, CNAV navigation data were collected during this campaign by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the University of New Brunswick (UNB) with a total of five globally distributed multi-GNSS monitoring stations. The binary raw data as well as post-processed RINEX-style navigation files are made publicly available through the CDDIS and can be accessed in the June 2013 CNAV campaign direcory. A detailed description of the data set is provided in a dedicated ReadMe file.

The routine transmission of CNAV data started on April 28, 2014 and daily uploads of navigation data are performed since Dec. 31, 2014. CNAV data collected since the start of the pre-operational CNAV are made available on a daily basis in annual directories of the MGEX data archive at CDDIS for 2014 to 2019. Starting with day of year 329/2019, the CNAV files are provided with long RINEX 3 file names in the operational directories for merged navigation files at CDDIS, e.g., https://cddis.nasa.gov/archive/gnss/data/daily/2019/brdc/BRDX00DLR_S_20193290000_01D_MN.rnx.gz.

Institution File name Constellations Notes
DLR brdxdddn.yyx.Z GPS+QZSS CNAV+LNAV, until Jan/2020
DLR BRDX00DLR_S_yyyyddd0000_01D_MN.rnx.gz GPS+QZSS CNAV+LNAV, 322/2019 – 365/2021

 

The employed data format matches the one introduced for the CNAV test campaign and is described in the corresponding ReadMe file and Steigenberger et al. (2015). Starting with January 2022, CNAV data are included in the BRD400DLR product files and generation of the BRDX00DLR product was stopped.

Further reading:

Flex Power

Flex power denotes the redistribution of transmit power between different GNSS signal components. The changes in power are visible in the carrier-to-noise density ratio (C/N0) of geodetic GNSS receivers. Steigenberger et al. (2019) discuss three different modes of flex power. In addition, three new modes could be observed in 2020:

Mode IV V VI
Blocks IIR-M + IIF IIR-M + IIF IIR-M + IIF
Time frame 45/2020 – 103/2020 104 – 124/2020, since 130/2020 125 – 129/2020
Geogr. distr. center at 37°E/35°N and 69°E/35°N like mode IV + southswards ext. like mode V but “rectangular”
L1 C/A – – –
L1 P(Y) +6 dB +9-11 dB +9-11 dB
L2 P(Y) +5 dB

 

The following plots show the activation areas of flex power modes IV, V, and VI obtained from carrier-to-noise density ratio analysis. Different colors indicate the groundtracks of individual satellites with increased carrier-to-noise density ratio.

 

Flex power mode IV on February 14, 2020
Fig. 1- Flex power mode IV on February 14, 2020.
Flex power mode V on April 14, 2020.
Fig. 2- Flex power mode V on April 14, 2020.
Flex power mode VI on May 06, 2020
Fig. 3- Flex power mode VI on May 06, 2020

Further reading:

GLONASS

GLONASS

Information on the current status of the GLONASS constellation is provided by the GLONASS Information Centre, which also provides dedicated Notice Advisory to GLONASS Users messages.

A graphical constellation chart along with a status table is maintained by the University of New Brunswick.

Galileo

Galileo

This page provides an overview of the Satellites in the Galileo Constellation. Technical parameters of the individual satellites and related conventions applied within the MGEX project are summarized in the Spacecraft Characteristics section. Furthermore, a list of Events of interest for the Galileo data processing is given. Information on the GIOVE satellites is given on the next section.

Satellites

Common Name
SVN
Int. Sat. ID
NORAD ID
NORAD Name
PRN
Notes
IOV-1, Galileo PFM E101 2011-060A 37846 GALILEO-PFM E11 Slot B05
IOV-2, Galileo FM2 E102 2011-060B 37847 GALILEO-FM2 E12 Slot B06
IOV-3, Galileo FM3 E103 2012-055A 38857 GALILEO-FM3 E19 Slot C04
IOV-4, Galileo FM4 E104 2012-055B 38858 GALILEO-FM4 E20 Slot C05
FOC-1 E201 2014-050A 40128 GALILEO 5 (261) E18 Orbit injection failure (i=49.7° e=0.23)
FOC-2 E202 2014-050B 40129 GALILEO 6 (262) E14 Orbit injection failure (i=49.7° e=0.23)
FOC-3 E203 2015-017A 40544 GALILEO 7 (263) E26 Slot B08
FOC-4 E204 2015-017B 40545 GALILEO 8 (264) E22 Slot B14, formerly B03, inactive
FOC-5 E205 2015-045A 40889 GALILEO 9 (205) E24 Slot A08
FOC-6 E206 2015-045B 40890 GALILEO 10 (206) E30 Slot A05
FOC-8 E208 2015-079B 41174 GALILEO 12 (269) E08 Slot C07
FOC-9 E209 2015-079A 41175 GALILEO 11 (268) E09 Slot C02
FOC-10 E210 2016-030B 41550 GALILEO 13 (26A) E01 Slot A02
FOC-11 E211 2016-030A 41549 GALILEO 14 (26B) E02 Slot A06
FOC-7 E207 2016-069A 41859 GALILEO 15 (267) E07 Slot C06
FOC-12 E212 2016-069B 41860 GALILEO 16 (26C) E03 Slot C08
FOC-13 E213 2016-069C 41861 GALILEO 17 (26D) E04 Slot C03
FOC-14 E214 2016-069D 41862 GALILEO 18 (26E) E05 Slot C01
FOC-15 E215 2017-079A 43055 GALILEO 19 (2C5) E21 Slot A03
FOC-16 E216 2017-079B 43056 GALILEO 20 (2C6) E25 Slot A07
FOC-17 E217 2017-079C 43057 GALILEO 21 (2C7) E27 Slot A04
FOC-18 E218 2017-079D 43058 GALILEO 22 (2C8) E31 Slot A01
FOC-19 E219 2018-060C 43566 GALILEO 23 (2C9) E36 Slot B04
FOC-20 E220 2018-060D 43567 GALILEO 24 (2C0) E13 Slot B01
FOC-21 E221 2018-060A 43564 GALILEO 25 (2C1) E15 Slot B02
FOC-22 E222 2018-060B 43565 GALILEO 26 (2C2) E33 Slot B07
FOC-23 E223 2021-116A 49809 GALILEO 27 (223) E34 Slot B03
FOC-24 E224 2021-116B 49810 GALILEO 28 (224) E10 Slot

Spacecraft Characteristics

Metadata for Galileo IOV and FOC satellites including attitude law, mass, center of mass, satellite antenna PCOs and PCVs, geometry and optical properties, as well as satellite group delays are provided by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA). Additional information on the FOC satellites is given in the OHB Galileo Space Segment Brochure.

Parameter
IOV
FOC
Launch mass 700 kg 733 kg
Body size 2.61 m x 1.15 m x 1.15 m 2.53 m x 1.20 m x 1.10 m
Solar array size 2 x 2 x 2.5 m x 1.1 m 2 x 2 x 2.5 m x 1.1 m
Span width 14.5 m 14.7 m
SRP acceleration 113 nm/s2 107 nm/s2 (FOC-1/2)
114 nm/s2 (others)

 

The Galileo-IOV/FOC spacecraft are equipped with broadband GNSS antennas for the E1, E5ab and E6 frequency bands and with a laser retroreflector array (LRA) for satellite laser ranging.

 

Galileo IOV
Galileo FOC

Fig. 1 Spacecraft reference system and sensor location for the Galileo IOV (left), and Galileo FOC (right) satellites. Blue arrows and labels indicate the reference system adopted by the IGS, while the manufacturer-specific systems are illustrated in red. During nominal yaw-steering, the Sun is always confined to the +xIGS-hemisphere. Reproduced from DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019 with permission of Elsevier; satellite images courtesy ESA.

Satellite Antenna Phase Center

Phase center offsets (PCOs) and variations (PCVs) of the GNSS antenna of the Galileo IOV and FOC satellites were published by the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) in in December 2016 and October 2017, respectively. These PCOs and PCVs for the are included in the IGS14 ANTEX file since GPS week 1972 for the IOV satellites and week 1986 for the FOC satellites. All values refer to the IGS-specific spacecraft coordinate system illustrated in blue in Fig. 1. The spacecraft coordinate system is aligned with the main body axes and originates near the anti-Earth panel. By convention of the IGS

  • the +zIGS-axis is oriented along the boresight direction of the antenna,
  • the yIGS-axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the solar panels and the positive yIGS-direction is defined through the adopted +xIGS-direction,
  • the +xIGS-axis completes a right handed system and is chosen such that the Sun is always located in the +xIGS hemisphere during nominal yaw-steering.

The detailed orientation of the +xIGS and +yIGS-axes for individual satellites is defined as shown in the drawings.Due to an initial lack of publicly available measured antenna phase center offsets conventional values of (x,y,z)IGS=(-0.2 m, 0.0 m, +0.6 m) and (x,y,z)IGS=(+0.15 m, 0.0 m, +1.0 m) were recommended for orbit and clock determination of the Galileo-IOV and -FOC satellites, respectively, until GPS week 1914. These values provided a first estimate of the actual phase center relative to the center of mass based on the images and models or coarse phase center estimates.

In 2016, GFZ and DLR estimated PCOs for the Galileo IOV and FOC satellites based on the ionosphere-free linear combination of E1 and E5a [4]. These values are included in igs08.atx since GPS week 1915 [5]. The switch dates of the individual ACs are given in the following table:

Analysis center com gbm grm tum wum
Switch date 262/2016 269/2016 262/2016 268/2016 n/a

The frequency-specific phase center offsets and variations from ground calibrations and published by the European GNSS Service Center are included in the IGS ANTEX file since GPS week 1986.

LRA Coordinates

For the modeling of satellite laser ranging measurements nominal coordinates of the effective LRA reflection point have been specified by ESA as part of the ILRS mission support request, see [1]. LRA offsets in the manufacturer as well as ANTEX reference frame are published on the GSC metadata website.

Attitude

Similar to the GPS satellites, the attitude of the Galileo satellites is actively controlled to orient the +zIGS axis towards the Earth. At the same time the spacecraft is continuously rotated about this axis to maintain the yIGS-axis perpendicular to the plane made up by the Sun, Earth, and satellite. The +xIGS-panel is always sunlit, while the -xIGS-panel is oriented towards “deep space”. Details of the IOV attitude control during noon- and midnight turns in periods when the Sun is close to the orbital plane are described in [3] although differing from the information published on the EUSPA (formerly GSA) webpage.

Transmit Power

Transmit power of GNSS satellites is required for the computation of antenna thrust. The equivalent isotropic radiation power (EIRP) was measured by DLR with its 30 m dish antenna. Values between 95 and 160 W were obtained for the IOV satellites for different time periods. The FOC satellites have a significantly higher mean transmit power of 265 W, for details see [6].

References

[1] Galileo-101 and -102 ILRS SLR Mission Support Request Form (2011/06)
[2] ILRS Galileo IOV Center of Mass Information
[3] Konrad A., Fischer H.-D., Müller C., Oesterlin W. (2007) “Attitude & orbit control system for Galileo IOV”; 17th IFAC Symposium on Automatic Control in Aerospace, DOI 10.3182/20070625-5-FR-2916.00006
[4] Steigenberger P., Fritsche M., Dach R., Schmid R., Montenbruck O., Uhlemann M., Prange L. (2016) “Estimation of satellite antenna phase center offsets for Galileo”, Journal of Geodesy 90(8):773-785, DOI 10.1007/s00190-016-0909-6
[5] Schmid R. “igs08_1915.atx: Updated phase center offsets for Galileo satellites”, IGSMAIL-7356
[6] Steigenberger P., Thoelert S., Montenbruck O. (2018) “GNSS Satellite Transmit Power and its Impact on Orbit Determination”, Journal of Geodesy 92(6): 609-624, DOI 10.1007/s00190-017-1082-2

Events

 

DateUTCSatellitePRNDescriptionNotes
2018/06/20MorningFOC-17E27Start of broadcast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/06/19MorningFOC-18E31Start of broadcast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/06/05MorningFOC-16E25Start of broadcast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/05/08FOC-17E27Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/05/07FOC-18E31Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/05/01FOC-15E21Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2018/04/13NoonFOC-16E25Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/12/08MorningFOC-4E22Start of transmission outage due to constellation managementCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2017045
2017/06/16NoonFOC-6E30Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2017023
2017/05/3013:15FOC-14E05Satellite declared usableNAGU 2017017
2017/05/2918:23FOC-7E07Satellite declared usableNAGU 2017018
2017/05/1612:44ALLALLNavigation messages refreshed for all satellitesNAGU 2017016
2017/05/1415:50ALLALLNavigation messages not refreshed for all satellitesNAGU 2017015
2017/05/04MorningFOC-12E03End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/03EveningFOC-12E03Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/02MorningFOC-13E04End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/01MorningFOC-12E03Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/01MorningFOC-12E03Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/01EveningFOC-13E04Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/29MorningFOC-13E04Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/29MorningFOC-13E04Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/25AfternoonFOC-13E04End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/24EveningFOC-12E03End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/22MorningFOC-12E03Start of E1 and E5 signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/22EveningFOC-13E04Start of E1 and E5 signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/04/055:50FOC-14E05Start of broacast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/288:40FOC-7E07Start of broacast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/21MorningFOC-7E07Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/19MorningFOC-14E05Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/12MorningFOC-14E05Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/11MorningFOC-7E07Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/06MorningFOC-7E07End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/06NoonFOC-14E05End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/05MorningFOC-4E24End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2017007
2017/03/039:44FOC-14E05Start of E1 and E5 signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/0210:40FOC-7E07Start of E1 and E5 signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/03/01AfternoonFOC-5E24Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2017006
2016/12/30EveningFOC-5E24End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2017001
2016/12/28NoonFOC-5E24Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016077
2016/10/21EveningIOV-02E12End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016045
2016/10/1413:00FOC-10E01Start of broadcast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/10/1317:20FOC-11E02Start of broadcast message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/10/12MorningIOV-02E12Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/10/02MorningFOC-11E02Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/10/01MorningFOC-10E01Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/09/12MorningFOC-10E01Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/09/12MorningFOC-11E02Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/09/06MorningFOC-10E01End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/09/05MorningFOC-11E02Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/09/05Late eveningFOC-10E01Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/31Early morningFOC-10E01End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/31Late eveningFOC-11E02End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/24MorningFOC-11E02Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/22MorningFOC-11E02Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/21NoonFOC-10E01Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/20MorningFOC-11E02Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/18MorningFOC-10E01Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/17MorningFOC-10E01Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/08/10AfternoonFOC-8E08Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016038
2016/08/08NoonFOC-9E09Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016037
2016/08/0419:20FOC-1E18Start of broadcast message transmission for test purposesCONGO/MGEX monitoring, announced for 2016/08/05 Midnight by NAGU 2016029
2016/08/0420:00FOC-2E14Start of broadcast message transmission for test purposesCONGO/MGEX monitoring, announced for 2016/08/05 Midnight by NAGU 2016030
2016/08/02NoonFOC-6E30Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016034
2016/08/01AfternoonFOC-5E24Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016032
2016/08/01Late eveningFOC-4E22End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016032
2016/07/25AfternoonFOC-3E26Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016023
2016/07/25EveningFOC-4E22Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGUs 2016022, 2016024
2016/07/21NoonFOC-1E18Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/07/19NoonFOC-2E14short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/07/01AfternoonFOC-1E18Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/06/16AfternoonFOC-1E18Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/05/15AfternoonIOV-1E11Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGUs 2016009, 2016010
2016/04/22FOC-8E08Satellite declared availableNAGU 2016007
2016/04/22FOC-9E09Satellite declared availableNAGU 2016008
2016/03/21AfternoonIOV-3E19Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/03/20NoonIOV-3E19Short signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/03/17EveningFOC-5E24Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016005
2016/03/15AfternoonIOV-3E19Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016004
2016/03/118:10FOC-8E08Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/03/098:50FOC-9E09Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/03/09NoonFOC-5E24Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAGU 2016003
2016/03/01NoonFOC-8E08Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/28NoonFOC-9E09Few hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/25NoonFOC-9E09Restart of signal transmission, short outage in the afternoonCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/24NoonFOC-8E08Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/21NoonFOC-8E08End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/21MorningFOC-9E09End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/18MorningFOC-9E09Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/17AfternoonFOC-8E08Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/16MorningFOC-8E08Signal transmission until noonCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/09EveningFOC-1E18Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/22MorningIOV-1E11End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015022
2015/12/21EveningIOV-1E11Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015018
2015/12/18EveningFOC-4E22End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015020
2015/12/17NoonIOV-2E12Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015019
2015/12/13EveningFOC-4E22Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015016
2015/11/21FOC-6E30Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/21AfternoonFOC-6E30Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/20FOC-5E24Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/20EveningFOC-5E24Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/16NoonFOC-1E18Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/15MorningFOC-5E24End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/14MorningFOC-6E30End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/14EveningFOC-5E24Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/13EveningFOC-6E30Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/09MorningFOC-5E24Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/09EveningFOC-6E30Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/03FOC-4E22Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/12NoonFOC-5E24End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/12MorningFOC-6E30Signal transmission from morning until afternoonCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/11MorningFOC-6E30End of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/10MorningFOC-5E24Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/10EveningFOC-6E30Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/07NoonFOC-3E19Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2015012 and 2015013
2015/10/06MorningFOC-1E18Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/0512:20FOC-3E26Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/10/02EveningFOC-3E26Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/09/20EveningFOC-1E18Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/09/10EveningFOC-4E22Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/09/08EveningFOC-2E14Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/07/23EveningFOC-3E26Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/07/12NoonFOC-2E14Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/20FOC-3E26Start of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/17AfternoonFOC-4E22Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/16AfternoonFOC-3E26Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/08AfternoonFOC-4E22Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/07NoonFOC-4E22Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/06FOC-3E26End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/04FOC-4E22End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/06/02EveningFOC-3E26Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/31MorningFOC-4E22Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/31EveningFOC-3E26Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/30NoonFOC-3E26Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/29MorningFOC-3E26End of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/29EveningFOC-4E22Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/28NoonFOC-4E22Several hours transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/28EveningFOC-3E26Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/26NoonFOC-3E26Short transmission outage, clock adjustmentCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/25EveningFOC-3E26Restart of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/2415:13FOC-3E26Start of signal transmission for a few hoursCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/22EveningFOC-4E22Restart of signal transmission followed by short outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/05/2111:32FOC-4E22Start of signal transmission for a few hoursCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/03/1719:19FOC-2E14Start of signal transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/03/10+11IOV-*E1*Navigation data gapsCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/03/0614:40IOV-1E11Restart of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/03/0614:30IOV-2E12Restart of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/03/0614:40IOV-3E19Restart of navigation message transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/02/12AfternoonIOV-3E19Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/02/11MorningIOV-2E12Half-day transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/02/10MorningIOV-1E11Short transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/02/01MorningIOV-3E19Short transmission outage, switch to Rb clockCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/26IOV-*E1*Start of navigation message outageInside GNSS
2015/01/15AfternoonIOV-1E11Restart of tranmsissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/15Around noonIOV-2E12Restart of tranmsission, Rb clockCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/14MorningIOV-1E11Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/13IOV-2E12Signal transmission from shortly after midnight until late eveningCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/09Around noonFOC-1E18Restart of transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/01/08AfternoonIOV-2E12Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2014/10/10IOV-1/2/3E11, E12, E19Start of navigation data outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2014035/ 36/ 37
2014/10/1017:10:00IOV-1/2/3E11, E12, E19End of navigation data outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2014/09/24IOV-4E20Restart of E1 transmission, no E5 signal and no navigation dataCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2014/08/0818:37:00IOV-4E20End of E1 transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2014/08/0623:13:00IOV-4E20Restart of E1 transmission, no E5 signal and no navigation data
2014/06/28AfternoonIOV-2E12End of transmission outage, outage end according to NAGU 2014020 on 2014/07/02
2014/06/28AfternoonIOV-2E12Restart of transmissionCONGO/MGEX monitoring
2014/06/15Around noonIOV-2E12Start of transmission outage, outage start according to NAGU 2014017 on 2014/06/12
2014/06/15Around noonIOV-2E12Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2014017
2014/06/01EveningIOV-1E11Restart of transmission, no navigation data until 2014/06/10 around noon
2014/05/27Around noonIOV-4E20Start of transmission outageMGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2014014
2014/05/20Late eveningIOV-1E11Start of transmission outageCONGO/MGEX monitoring,
NAGU 2014007
2014/02/237:47IOV-3E19Start of signal outageNAGU 2014004
2014/02/18IOV-1E11End of signal outageMGEX monitoring
2014/02/094:37IOV-1E11Start of signal outage (9 days)NAGU 2014003
2014/01/2208:49-17:42IOV-3E20Temporary unavailabilityNAGU 2014001/ 002
2014/01/1707:00-08:29IOV-3E20Temporary unavailabilityNAGU 2014001/ 002
2014/01/1507:14-15:02IOV-3E20Temporary unavailabilityNAGU 2014001/ 002
2013/10/1713:04IOV-4E20End of one month unavailability, payload on RAFSNAGU 2013021
2013/10/158:12IOV-1E11End of one month unavailability, payload on PHMNAGU 2013017
2013/10/148:30IOV-2E12End of one month unavailability, payload on PHMNAGU 2013019
2013/10/1415:20IOV-4E20End of one month unavailability, payload on PHMNAGU 2013020
2013/10/07IOV-1,-4E11,E20End of 3 weeks signal outageMGEX monitoring
2013/10/04IOV-2E12End of 1 week signal outageMGEX monitoring
2013/09/26IOV-2E12Start of 1 week signal outageMGEX monitoring
2013/09/14IOV-4E20Start of 3 weeks signal outageMGEX monitoring
2013/09/13IOV-1E11Start of 3 weeks signal outageMGEX monitoring
2013/09/1310:19IOV-4E20Start of one month unavailabilityNAGU 2013011,-014,-020,-021
2013/09/1311:49IOV-3E19Start of one month unavailabilityNAGU 2013011,-014,-020
2013/09/126:53IOV-2E12Start of one month unavailabilityNAGU 2013011,-013,-018
2013/09/1213:05IOV-1E11Start of one month unavailabilityNAGU 2013011,-012,-017
2013/08/2314:08IOV-1E11End of 4-day test campaign with dummy navigation messages; payload on RAFS clockNAGU 2013007
2013/08/2314:11IOV-4E20End of 4-day test campaign with dummy navigation messages; payload on RAFS clockNAGU 2013010
2013/08/2314:24IOV-2E12End of 4-day test campaign with dummy navigation messages; payload on RAFS clockNAGU 2013008
2013/08/2315:20IOV-3E19End of 4-day test campaign with dummy navigation messages; payload on RAFS clockNAGU 2013009
2013/08/21IOV-4E20Switch to RAFSTUM MGEX monitoring
2013/08/20IOV-2,-3E12,E19Switch to RAFSTUM MGEX monitoring
2013/08/196:00IOV-1,2,3,4E11,E12,
E19,E20		Start of 4-day test campaign with dummy navigation messagesNAGU 2013003-006
2013/08/19IOV-1E11Switch to RAFSTUM MGEX monitoring
2013/07/0110:25IOV-4E20End of two-week unavailabilityNAGU 2013002
2013/06/1416:48IOV-4E20Start of two weeks unavailabilityNAGU 2013001
2013/04/09Around noonIOV-4E20Short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/03/14EveningIOV-4E20End of transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/03/13MorningIOV-4E20Start of transmission outage (1 day)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/03/06Around noonIOV-4E20End of transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/03/05Around noonIOV-4E20Short transmissionTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/28EveningIOV-3E19Resumed transmission (short interruption after restart)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/21Around noonIOV-4E20Short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/21AfternoonIOV-4E20Start of transmission outage (13 days)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/20Around noonIOV-4E20Short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/19Before midnightIOV-4E20End of transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/15EveningIOV-4E20Start of transmission outage (4 days)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/07afternoonIOV-3E19Short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/07EveningIOV-3E19Start of transmission outage (21 days)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/06morningIOV-3E19Short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/02/04IOV-3E19Very short transmission outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/27IOV-4E20Transmission outage (early morning until noon)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/25eveningIOV-4E20Transmission resumedTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/23noonIOV-1E11Transmission resumedTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/22early morningIOV-2E12Transmission resumedTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/21IOV-4E20Transmission outage (4d)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/18eveningIOV-1E11Transmission outage (5d)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/18eveningIOV-2E12Transmission outage (4d)TUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/17~19:30IOV-1/2E11, E12Start transmission of navigation messageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/14noonIOV-3E19Short signal outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/11eveningIOV-3E19E5 transmission resumedTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/11afternoonIOV-2E12Clock switch to RubidiumTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/10IOV-3E19E1 transmission resumed; switch to alternate PHM (?), clock not synchronized after outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/08noonIOV-3E19Transmission stoppedTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2013/01/07noonIOV-4E20Short outage; switch to alternate PHM (?), clock not synchronized after outageTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2012/12/1217:15IOV-4E20Start of E1 signal transmissionTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2012/12/0113:55IOV-3E19Start of E1 signal transmissionTUM CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2012/11/01IOV-1E11Clock switch (PHM to Rb); clock offset 28 us, drift 33.2 us/d (previously 1234 us and +7.14 us/d)TUM/CONGO
2012/07/26IOV-1E11Clock adjustment; clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +7.19 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/07/23IOV-2E12Clock switch (Rb to PHM); clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +7.36 us/d (PHM) TUM/CONGOTUM/CONGO
2012/07/16IOV-1E11Clock switch (Rb to PHM); clock offset -28.8 ms, drift +7.15 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/06/29IOV-2E12Start of CBOC transmissionESA; M. Falcone 12/12/05
2012/06/27IOV-2E12Clock adjustment; clock offset -0.8 ms, drift +41.9 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/06/27IOV-1E11Start of CBOC transmissionESA; M. Falcone 12/12/05
2012/06/06IOV-1E11clock adjustment; clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +32.8 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/05/31IOV-2E12Clock adjustment; clock offset +50.0 ms, drift +43.1 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/03/01IOV-2E12End of transmission outage; clock offset -35.4 ms, drift +41.9 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/21IOV-1E11Clock adjustment; clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +33.3 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/18IOV-2E12Clock jump; switch (PHM to Rb)?
2012/02/18IOV-2E12Start of transmission outage (10d)
2012/02/16IOV-1E11Clock switch (PHM to Rb); clock offset -36.0 ms, drift +33.3 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/13IOV-2E12Clock adjustment; clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +7.41 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/10IOV-2E12End of transmission outage; possible clock switch PHM to PHM; clock offset +48.6 ms, drift +7.41 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/06IOV-2E12Start of transmission outage (4d)CONGO monitoring
2012/02/05IOV-1E11Clock adjustment; clock offset ~0.0 ms, drift +7.19 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/02/02IOV-1E11End of transmission outage; Clock offset -1.9 ms, drift +7.19 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/01/31IOV-2E12Clock switch (Rb to PHM); clock offset -72.1ms, drift +7.23 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO; exact date unclear due to multiple events and/or bad data
2012/01/18IOV-2E12Start of E5 transmissionCONGO
2012/01/18IOV-1E11Start of transmission outage (14d)CONGO monitoring
2012/01/18IOV-2E12Initial orbit/clock products from TUM; clock offset +89.2 ms, drift +38.2 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2012/01/11IOV-1E11Clock switch (Rb to PHM); clock offset +34.5 ms, drift +7.12 us/d (PHM)TUM/CONGO
2012/01/09IOV-2E12Start of E1 transmissionCONGO monitoring
2011/12/28IOV-1E11Initial orbit/clock products from TUM; clock offset +0.5 ms, drift +50.3 us/d (Rb)TUM/CONGO
2011/12/149:45IOV-1E11Start of E5 transmissionCONGO monitoring
2011/12/106:02IOV-1E11Start of E1 transmission, initial clock offset 850 msCANSPACE, CONGO monitoring

Notes:

GIOVE

This section provides an overview of the Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element (GIOVE) satellites, namely GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B.

Satellites

Common Name SVN Int. Sat. ID NORAD ID PRN Notes
GIOVE-A E001 2005-051A 28922 E01/E51 Decommissioned 2012/06/30
GIOVE-B E002 2008-020A 32781 E16/E52 Decommissioned 2012/07/23

 

Note: Due to the late announcement of official space vehicle identifiers for the GIOVE-A/B satellites, different PRN assignments have been adopted by receiver manufacturers and data providers for these satellites. While PRN numbers E01/E16 have been used within the broadcast navigation messages of GIOVE-A/B other possible identifications include

  • PRN E01/E02 (Javad receivers)
  • PRN E32/E31 (Septentrio PolaRx/AsteRx receivers)
  • PRN E51/E52 (Septentrio GeNeRx1 receiver, NovAtel EuroPak15a, Trimble NetR9 receiver, RTCM3-MSM draft)
  • PRN E01/E16 (Leica GRX1200+GNSS/GR10/GR25 receivers)

So far, no unique PRN numbering scheme has been adopted within the IGS and RINEX files collected within the MGEX project may be based on either of the above conventions. Users of MGEX data prior to the deactivation of GIOVE-A/B in the summer of 2012 are advised to carefully check the employed data and adjust the PRN numbers to ensure consistency in their processing where needed. In particular, attention should be paid to the fact, that different PRN conventions might be used concurrently in data products resulting from the same receiver but using different RINEX generation tools.

 

Spacecraft Characteristics

A comprehensive collection of technical information with associated references for the GIOVE-A and GIOVE-B spacecraft can be obtained at ESA’s eoPortal as well as the ESA report on GIOVE Experimentation Results (ESA SP-1320).

Parameter GIOVE-A GIOVE-B
Launch mass 602 kg 530 kg
Dry mass 550 kg 502 kg
Body size 1.3 m x 1.8 m x 1.65 m (stowed envelope) 0.95 m x 0.95 m x 2.4 m
Solar array size 2 x 2 x 1.74 m x 0.98 m 2 x 4 x 1.5 m x 0.8 m
Span width ~10 m ~10 m
Cross section 9 m2 12 m2
SRP acceleration 99 nm/s2 151 nm/s2

 

The GIOVE-A/B spacecraft are equipped with broadband GNSS antennas for the E1, E5ab and E6 frequency bands and with a laser retroreflector array (LRA) for satellite laser ranging.

GIOVE-A
GIOVE-B
Fig. 2 Spacecraft reference system and sensor location for the GIOVE-A (left), GIOVE-B (right) satellites. Blue arrows and labels indicate the reference system adopted by the IGS, while the manufacturer-specific systems are illustrated in red. During nominal yaw-steering, the Sun is always confined to the +xIGS-hemisphere. Reproduced from DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019 with permission of Elsevier; satellite images courtesy ESA.

 

Phase center coordinates of the GNSS antenna and the LRA of GIOVE-A/B satellites as recommended for use within the MGEX project are provided in the following table. A machine-readable version of the phase center offset information for each satellite is provided as part of the IGS14 ANTEX product. All values refer to the IGS-specific spacecraft coordinate system illustrated in blue in Fig. 1. The spacecraft coordinate system is aligned with the main body axes and originates near the anti-Earth panel. By convention of the IGS

  • the +zIGS-axis is oriented along the boresight direction of the antenna,
  • the yIGS-axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the solar panels and the positive yIGS-direction is defined through the adopted +xIGS-direction,
  • the +xIGS-axis completes a right handed system and is chosen such that the Sun is always located in the +xIGS hemisphere during nominal yaw-steering.

The detailed orientation of the +xIGS and +yIGS-axes for individual satellites is defined as shown in the drawings.

GIOVE-A
Coordinates (w.r.t. origin) Coordinates (w.r.t. CoM) Reference
xIGS yIGS zIGS xIGS yIGS zIGS
GNSS Antenna E1 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +1658.0 mm -4.0 mm +1.0 mm +862.0 mm [1]
E5a/b/ab 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +1690.0 mm -4.0 mm +1.0 mm +894.0 mm [1]
E6 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +1665.0 mm -4.0 mm +1.0 mm +869.0 mm [1]
LRA +832.0 mm +654.0 mm +1476.0 mm +828.0 mm +655.0 mm +680.0 mm [1]
CoM (Mar 2006) +4.0 mm -1.0 mm +796.0 mm [1]

 

GIOVE-B
Coordinates (w.r.t. origin) Coordinates (w.r.t. CoM) Reference
xIGS yIGS zIGS xIGS yIGS zIGS
GNSS Antenna E1 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +2289.2 mm -3.2 mm +3.4 mm +1351.7 mm [1]
E5a/b/ab 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +2288.7 mm -3.2 mm +3.4 mm +1351.2 mm [1]
E6 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +2287.6 mm -3.2 mm +3.4 mm +1350.1 mm [1]
LRA +807.5 mm -297.5 mm +2267.6 mm +804.3 mm -294.1 mm +1330.1 mm [1]
CoM (BoL) +3.2 mm -3.4 mm +937.5 mm [1]

 

GNSS antenna offsets for GIOVE-A/B are based on calibrated phase centers for each frequency band and center-of-mass information for the begin of life (BoL) as provided by ESA.

For the modeling of satellite laser ranging measurements nominal coordinates of the effective LRA reflection point have been specified by ESA as part of the ILRS mission support request.

Similar to the GPS satellites the attitude of the GIOVE satellites is actively controlled to orient the +zIGS axis towards the Earth. At the same time the spacecraft is continuously rotated about this axis to maintain the yIGS-axis perpendicular to the plane made up by the Sun, Earth, and satellite. The +xIGS-panel is always sunlit, while the -xIGS-panel is oriented towards “deep space”. Details of the attitude control during noon- and midnight turns in periods when the Sun is close to the orbital plane are described in [2] and [3].

 

References

[1] Zandbergen R., Navarro D.; “Specification of Galileo and GIOVE Space Segment properties relevant for Satellite Laser Ranging”, ESA-EUING-TN/10206, Issue 3.2, 08/05/2008, Galileo Project Office, ESA, Noordwijk;
[2] Johnston A.G.Y., Holt A.P., Jackson C.D., “GIOVE-A AOCS : An Experience from Verification to Flight”, 7th Int. ESA Conference on Guidance, Navigation & Control Systems, 2-5 June 2008, Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland (2008).
[3] Zentgraf P., Fischer H.-D., Kaffer L., Konrad A., Lehrl E., Müller C., Oesterlin W., Wiegand M.; “AOC Design and Test for GSTB-V2B”, 6th Int. ESA Conference on Guidance, Navigation and Control Systems, 17-20 Oct. 2005 in Loutraki, Greece (2005).

 

Events

Date UTC Satellite PRN Description Notes
2011/11/25 GIOVE-B E16/E52 Clock switch (PHM to Rb) CONGO monitoring
2012/02/27 GIOVE-B E16/E52 End of transmission outage CONGO monitoring
2012/06/30 21:00 GIOVE-A E01/E51 End of mission ESA
2012/07/23 11:14 GIOVE-B E16/E52 End of mission ESA

BeiDou

BeiDou

This page provides an overview of the Satellites in the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). Technical parameters of the individual satellites and related conventions applied within the MGEX project are summarized in the Spacecraft Characteristics section. Information about the operational status of BeiDou can be found on the website of the Test and Assessment Research Center (TARC) of the China Satellite Navigation Office (CSNO).

 

Satellites

The regional BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS-2, earlier referred to as COMPASS) originally comprised a total of 15 launched satellites out of which 13 were fully operational in 2015. BDS-2 replacement satellites have been launched in 2016, 2018, and 2019. In mid 2015, China started the build-up of the 3rd generation BeiDou system (BDS-3) which shall offer a fully global navigation service by 2020. In 2015/2016, five BDS-3S in-orbit validation satellites have been launched. Build-up of the operational BeiDou-3 constellation was delayed by launcher issues and finally started in November 2017. The nominal number of 24 BeiDou-3 MEO satellites was reached in December 2019.

BeiDou-2
SVN
Common Name
Int. Sat. ID
NORAD ID
Sat. Cat. Name
PRN
Notes
C001 BEIDOU M1 2007-011A 31115 BEIDOU 2 C30 launched 2007-04-13; decommissioned
C002 BDS-2 GEO-2 2009-018A 34779 COMPASS G2 C02 launched 2009/04/14; inactive; uncontrolled
C003 BDS-2 GEO-1 2010-001A 36287 BEIDOU 3 C01 140.0°E; launched 2010/01/16;
end of signal transmissoin 2020/03/31
C004 BDS-2 GEO-3 2010-024A 36590 BEIDOU 4 C03 110.5°E; launched 2010/06/02;
inactive since 2018/09/28
C005 BDS-2 IGSO-1 2010-036A 36828 BEIDOU 5 C06 ~117°E; launched 2010/07/31
C006 BDS-2 GEO-4 2010-057A 37210 BEIDOU 6 C04 160.0°E; launched 2010/10/31
C007 BDS-2 IGSO-2 2010-068A 37256 BEIDOU 7 C07 ~119°E; launched 2010/12/17
C008 BDS-2 IGSO-3 2011-013A 37384 BEIDOU 8 C08 ~117°E; launched 2011/04/09
C009 BDS-2 IGSO-4 2011-038A 37763 BEIDOU 9 C09 ~95°E; launched 2011/07/26
C010 BDS-2 IGSO-5 2011-073A 37948 BEIDOU 10 C10 ~96°E; launched 2011/12/01
C011 BDS-2 GEO-5 2012-008A 38091 BEIDOU 11 C05 58.75°E; launched 2012/02/24
C012 BDS-2 MEO-3 2012-018A 38250 BEIDOU 12 C11 between slots A-6 and A-7;
launched 2012/04/29
C013 BDS-2 MEO-4 2012-018B 38251 BEIDOU 13 C12 between slots A-7 and A-8;
launched 2012/04/29
C014 BDS-2 MEO-5 2012-050A 38774 BEIDOU 14 C13 Slot B-3; launched 2012/09/18;
end of signal transmission 2014/10/21
C015 BDS-2 MEO-6 2012-050B 38775 BEIDOU 15 C14 between slots B-3 and B-4;
launched 2012/09/18
C016 BDS-2 GEO-6 2012-059A 38953 BEIDOU 16 C02 80.3°E; launched 2012/10/25
C017 BDS-2 IGSO-6 2016-021A 41434 BEIDOU IGSO-6 C15
C13		 ~94°E; launched 2016/03/29;
PRN switch from C15 to C13 on 2016/10/11
C018 BDS-2 GEO-7 2016-037A 41586 BD-2-G7 C17
C03		 144.5°E; launched 2016/06/12;
PRN switch from C17 to C03 on 2018/09/29
C019 BDS-2 IGSO-7 2018-057A 43539 BEIDOU IGSO-7 C16 ~112°E; launched 2018/07/09
C020 BDS-2 GEO-8 2019-027A 44231 BEIDOU 2 G8 C18
C01		 ~80°E; launched 2019/05/17
PRN switch from C18 to C01 on 2020/03/31

 

Notes:
  • In the absence of official space vehicle numbers (SVNs), preliminary numbers for the BDS-2 satellites have been assigend for use within the MGEX project based on the launch sequence of the respective spacecraft.
  • C004 was moved from 84.0° E to new position between Nov 7 and 22, 2012.
  • BeiDou-2 metadata were published on December 9, 2019.
  • BeiDou-2 MEO satellites have been placed between official slot positions as soon as BeiDou-3 satellites have occupied their initial slot positions.

 

BeiDou-3S
SVN
Common Name
Int. Sat. ID
NORAD ID
Sat. Cat. Name
Manuf.
PRN
Notes
C101 BDS-3S IGSO-1S 2015-019A 40549 BD-17 SECM C16
C31		 ~93°E; launched 2015/03/30;
PRN switch from C31 to C16 on 2018/04/24
PRN switch from C16 to C31 on 2018/07/10
C102 BDS-3S MEO-1S 2015-037B 40749 BD-19 CAST C33
C19
C57		 formerly slot A-1, launched 2015/07/30;
PRN switch from C33 to C19 on 2018/06/14;
C19 transmission until 2018/11/11
C103 BDS-3S MEO-2S 2015-037A 40748 BD-18 CAST C34
C28
C58		 Slot A-6, launched 2015/07/30;
PRN switch from C34 to C28 on 2018/06/11;
C28 transmission until 2018/12/20
C104 BDS-3S IGSO-2S 2015-053A 40938 BD-20 CAST C32
C18
C56		 ~96°E; launched 2015/09/29;
PRN switch from C32 to C18 on 2018/06/07
C18 transmission until 2019/04/24
C105 BDS-3S MEO-3S 2016-006A 41315 BD-21 SECM C35 Slot B-1; launched 2016/02/01

 

Notes:
  • The five BEIDOU ??-S satellites are experimental satellites of the BeiDou-3 constellation manufactured by the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites (SECM) of the China Academy of Science (CAS) and China Academy of Space Technology (CAST), see [5].
  • The association of PRN/SVN and NORAD/Int.Sat.ID numbers for BEIDOU M1-S and M2-S in the above table has been corrected on 02-Nov-2017 based on information from ILRS/SHAO.
  • The I2-S and M1-S satellites can transmit an S-band signal.
  • No receiver tracking of SVN C105/PRN C35 so far. According to [8], C105 suffers from a failure of the transmit antenna.
  • B1/B3 dual-frequency tracking of C101/C31 after PRN switch in July 2018.
  • High-gain antenna measurements on 27/28 July 2018:
    • C101: B1/B2/B3 signal transmission
    • C104: B1/B3 signal transmission
    • C103: B1/B2/B3 signal transmission
BeiDou-3
SVN
Common Name
Int. Sat. ID
NORAD ID
Sat. Cat. Name
Manuf.
PRN
Notes
C201 BDS-3 MEO-1 2017-069A 43001 BEIDOU 3M1 CAST C19
C47		 Slot B-7; launched 2017/11/05;
PRN C19 used until 2018/06/12 and since 2018/11/15
C202 BDS-3 MEO-2 2017-069B 43002 BEIDOU 3M2 CAST C20 Slot B-8; launched 2017/11/05
C203 BDS-3 MEO-7 2018-003A 43107 BEIDOU 3M3 SECM C27 Slot A-4; launched 2018/01/11
C204 BDS-3 MEO-8 2018-003B 43108 BEIDOU 3M4 SECM C28
C48		 Slot A-5; launched 2018/01/11;
PRN C28 used until 2018/06/11 and since 2018/12/20
C205 BDS-3 MEO-4 2018-018A 43207 BEIDOU 3M5 CAST C22 Slot B-6; launched 2018/02/12
C206 BDS-3 MEO-3 2018-018B 43208 BEIDOU 3M6 CAST C21 Slot B-5; launched 2018/02/12
C207 BDS-3 MEO-9 2018-029A 43245 BEIDOU 3M7 SECM C29 Slot A-2; launched 2018/03/29
C208 BDS-3 MEO-10 2018-029B 43246 BEIDOU 3M8 SECM C30 Slot A-3; launched 2018/03/29
C209 BDS-3 MEO-5 2018-062A 43581 BEIDOU 3M9 CAST C23 Slot C-7; launched 2018/07/29
C210 BDS-3 MEO-6 2018-062B 43582 BEIDOU 3M10 CAST C24 Slot C-1; launched 2018/07/29
C211 BDS-3 MEO-12 2018-067A 43602 BEIDOU 3M11 * SECM C26 Slot C-2; launched 2018/08/24
C212 BDS-3 MEO-11 2018-067B 43603 BEIDOU 3M12 * SECM C25 Slot C-8; launched 2018/08/24
C213 BDS-3 MEO-13 2018-072A 43622 BEIDOU 3M13 CAST C32 Slot B-1; launched 2018/09/19
C214 BDS-3 MEO-14 2018-072B 43623 BEIDOU 3M14 CAST C33 Slot B-3; launched 2018/09/19
C215 BDS-3 MEO-16 2018-078A 43647 BEIDOU 3M15 * SECM C35 Slot A-1; launched 2018/10/15
C216 BDS-3 MEO-15 2018-078B 43648 BEIDOU 3M16 * SECM C34 Slot A-7; launched 2018/10/15
C217 BDS-3 GEO-1 2018-085A 43683 BEIDOU 3G1 CAST C59 ~140°E; launched 2018/11/01
C218 BDS-3 MEO-17 2018-093A 43706 BEIDOU 3M17 CAST C36 Slot C-4; launched 2018/11/18
C219 BDS-3 MEO-18 2018-093B 43707 BEIDOU 3M18 CAST C37 Slot C-6; launched 2018/11/18
C220 BDS-3 IGSO-1 2019-023A 44204 BEIDOU 3 IGSO-1 CAST C38 ~110.5° E; launched 2019/04/20
C221 BDS-3 IGSO-2 2019-035A 44337 BEIDOU 3 IGSO-2 CAST C39 launched 2019/06/24
C222 BDS-3 MEO-24 2019-061A 44542 BEIDOU 3M23 * CAST C46 Slot C-5; launched 2019/09/22
C223 BDS-3 MEO-23 2019-061B 44543 BEIDOU 3M24 * CAST C45 Slot C-3; launched 2019/09/22
C224 BDS-3 IGSO-3 2019-073A 44709 BEIDOU 3 IGSO-3 CAST C40 launched 2019/11/04
C225 BDS-3 MEO-22 2019-078A 44793 BEIDOU 3M21 * SECM C44 Slot A-8; launched 2019/11/23
C226 BDS-3 MEO-21 2019-078B 44794 BEIDOU 3M22 * SECM C43 Slot A-6; launched 2019/11/23
C227 BDS-3 MEO-19 2019-090A 44864 BEIDOU 3M19 CAST C41 Slot B-2; launched 2019/12/16
C228 BDS-3 MEO-20 2019-090B 44865 BEIDOU 3M20 CAST C42 Slot B-4; launched 2019/12/16
C229 BDS-3 GEO-2 2020-017A 45344 BEIDOU 3 G2 CAST C60 ~80°E; launched 2020/03/09
C230 BDS-3 GEO-3 2020-040A 45807 BEIDOU 3 G3 CAST C61 ~110.5°E; launched 2020/06/23
C231 BDS-3 GEO-4 2023-066A 56564 BEIDOU 3 G4 CAST C62 launched 2023/05/17
C232 BDS-3 MEO-28 2023-207A 58654 BEIDOU-3 M25 * CAST C50 launched 2023/12/26
C233 BDS-3 MEO-26 2023-207B 58655 BEIDOU-3 M26 * CAST C48 launched 2023/12/26

* “Common names” from CSNO/TARC and “Satellite Catalogue Names” from space-track.org are not consistent for this satellite

Notes:
  • As no official space vehicle numbers (SVNs) are available, SVNs are assigned based on the satellite generation:
    • C0?? for BeiDou-2
    • C1?? for BeiDou-3S
    • C2?? for BeiDou-3

    with monotonically increasing number within each satellite generation.

  • The numbering of the spacecraft in the satellite catalog differs from the common names for some satellites.
  • Common names are composed of the satellite type (BDS-2/BDS-3S/BDS-3) and the SVN from the Constellation Status website of CSNO/TARC.
  • The SVN used here follows the satellite catalog number (NORAD ID). In case of dual launches, the smaller NORAD ID is assigned the smaller SVN and vice versa.
  • Ten out of the 24 BDS-3 MEO satellites are manufactured by the Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites (SECM), the others by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST).
  • The PRN/SVN assignment of C222 and C223 was changed on 28-Nov-2019 according to information provided by CSNO/TARC.
  • The PRN/SVN assignment of C225 and C226 was changed on 08-Jan-2020 according to information provided by CSNO/TARC.
  • Information on BDS-3 is preliminary and might be subject to change.

 

Spacecraft Characteristics

 

BeiDou-2

A comprehensive collection of technical information with associated references for the BeiDou-2 satellites can be obtained at the CNSS page of ESA’s eoPortal . BeiDou-2 metadata were released in December 2019 and are available on the BeiDou website.

The BeiDou-2 spacecraft are equipped with broadband GNSS antennas for the B1, B2, and B3 frequency bands as well as a laser retroreflector array (LRA) for satellite laser ranging. Frequency-specific antenna phase center offsets as well as LRA offsets are provided on the CSNO/TARC website. A corresponding ANTEX file is also available.

BeiDou-2
Parameter
GEO
IGSO
MEO
Satellite Bus DFH-3B DFH-3B DFH-3 (?)
In-orbit mass 1382 – 1551 kg 1272 – 1284 kg 1176 – 1193 kg
Body size ~1.8 m x ~2.2 m x ~2.5 m ~1.8 m x ~2.2 m x ~2.5 m ~1.8 m x ~2.2 m x ~2.5 m
Solar array size 2 x 3 x 2.2 m x 1.7 m 2 x 3 x 2.2 m x 1.7 m 2 x 3 x 2.2 m x 1.7 m
Span width ~17.7 m ~17.7 m ~17.7 m
Cross section ~27 m2 ~27 m2 ~27 m2
SRP acceleration 102 nm/s2 122 nm/s2 130 nm/s2

 

Figure 1 illustrates the IGS-specific spacecraft coordinate system. This system is aligned with the main body axes and originates in the plane opposite to the antenna. For all three spacecraft types

  • the +zIGS-axis is oriented along the boresight direction of the antenna,
  • the +yIGS-axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the solar panels, and
  • the +xIGS-axis completes a right handed system.

The detailed orientation of the +xIGS and +yIGS-axes for the BeiDou-2 satellites is defined as shown in the drawings. The GNSS antenna is shifted in +xIGS-direction relative to the center of the front panel, while the LRA is located in the -xIGS/-yIGS-corner. On GEO satellites, the +xIGS-panel holds the C-band telecommunication antenna.

BeiDou MEO/IGSO
BeiDou GEO

Fig. 1 Spacecraft reference system and sensor location for the IGSO/MEO (left) and GEO satellites (right) of the BeiDou-2 regional navigation system. Reproduced from DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019 with permission of Elsevier; satellite images courtesy CSNO.

The attitude of the BeiDou-2 satellites is actively controlled to orient the +zIGS axis towards the Earth. For the MEO and IGSO satellites a yaw steering attitude is employed, in which the satellite is continuously rotated about the +zIGS axis to maintain the yIGS-axis perpendicular to the plane made up by the Sun, Earth, and satellite. Similar to the IGS satellites, the +xIGS-axis is pointed towards the sun-lit hemisphere. For the GEO satellites an orbit normal mode is adopted, in which the +yIGS is oriented perpendicular to the orbital plan. The orbit normal mode is also employed by the MEO/IGSO satellite when the Sun elevation above the orbital plane is less than about 4°. An overview of BeiDou-2 attitude modes and related mathematical formulations are provided in [3]. Mode transitions at low β-angles are further discussed in [4].

The BDS-2 IGSO satellite C017 does not enter orbit normal mode. F. Dilssner (ESOC) developed an attitude model for this satellite [6] and reports that the MEO satellite C015 and the IGSO satellite C005 follow also this attitude law since October 2016 and March 2017, respectively. Reverse PPP analysis revealed that also C019 does not enter orbit normal mode [9] and that the attitude model of [6] is also valid for this satellite.

 

BeiDou-3S

BeiDou-3S stands for five BeiDou-3 test satellites launched in 2015/2016. They transmit legacy B1 signals similar to the BeiDou-2 satellites as well as modernized signals in the L1, E5, and B3 band.

Manufacturer satellite antenna phase center offsets as well as SLR retroreflector offsets for C101 – C104 are published in [5]. The M1S/M2S satellites are equipped with an additional fold-out phased array antenna. However, it is unknown which navigation signals are transmitted by this antenna.

Artist view of the SECM BeiDou-3S MEO satellite
Fig. 2 Artist view of the SECM BeiDou-3S MEO satellite. Image courtesy of SECM.
BeiDou-3S
Parameter
M1S/M2S
M3S
I1S
I2S
Manufacturer CAST SECM SECM CAST
Mass ~1000 kg 848 kg 2800 kg
Body size 2.0 m x 2.5 m x 3.6 m
SRP acceleration 138 nm/s2 86 nm/s2 99 nm/s2
Notes Antenna failure [8] First Chinese H-maser in space

 

BeiDou-3

Information on the dimensions and the attitude law of the BDS-3 MEO satellites manufactured by SECM as well as PCO and LRA offset values are published in [7]. Metadata including current PRN/SVN assignment, satellite mass, LRA offsets, areas, and absorption coefficient are available at the BeiDou website (RAR compressed ASCII file). Frequency-specific antenna phase center offsets for BDS-2 and BDS-3 are proviced in a dedicated ANTEX file. Further information, attitude law, and format descritions are given in [11].

BeiDou-3
Parameter
MEO CAST
MEO SECM-A
MEO SECM-B
IGSO
GEO
Bus DFH-3B
In-orbit mass 941 – 1061 kg 1010 – 1045 kg 1075 – 1079 kg 2950 kg 3000 kg
Body size 1.68 m x 1.30 m x 2.16 m 2.55 m x 1.02 m x 1.23 m 2.80 m x 0.92 m x 1.35 m
Solar array size 2 x 10.22 m² 2 x 5.4 m² 2 x 5.4 m² 2 x 17.7 m² 2 x 17.7 m²
Primary clocks 2 RAFSs from CASC 2 PHMs from SHAO
Backup clocks 2 RAFSs from CASIC 2 RAFSs from CASIC
Notes C201/2, C205/6, C209/10, C213/4, C218/9, C222/3 C203/4, C207/8, C211/2, C215/6 C225/6 C220, C221, C224 C217, C229

Abbreviations

CASC China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
CASIC China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation
CAST China Academy of Space Technology
SHAO Shanghai Astronomical Observatory
SECM Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites

References

[1] ILRS BeiDou (COMPASS) Center of Mass Information
[2] Dilssner F., Springer T., Schönemann E., Enderle W. (2014) Estimation of satellite antenna phase center corrections for BeiDou, IGS Workshop, Pasadena, California, USA
[3] Montenbruck O., Schmid R., Mercier F., Steigenberger P., Noll C., Fatkulin R., Kogure S., Ganeshan A.S. (2015) GNSS satellite geometry and attitude models, Advances in Space Research 56(6):1015-1029, DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019
[4] Dai X., Ge M., Lou Y., Shi C., Wickert J., Schuh H. (2015) Estimating the yaw-attitude of BDS IGSO and MEO satellites, Journal of Geodesy 89(10):1005-1018, DOI 10.1007/s00190-015-0829-x
[5] Zhao Q., Wang C., Guo J., Wang B., Liu J. (2018) Precise orbit and clock determination for BeiDou-3 experimental satellites with yaw attitude analysis, GPS Solutions 22:4, DOI 10.1007/s10291-017-0673-y
[6] Dilssner F. (2017) A note on the yaw attitude modeling of BeiDou IGSO-6
[7] Shanghai Engineering Center for Microsatellites (2018) Satellite Geometry and Attitude Mode of MEO Satellites Developed by SECM, ION GNSS+ 2018
[8] Zhou R., Hu Z., Zhao Q., Li P., Wang W., He C., Cai C., Pan Z. (2018) Elevation-dependent pseudorange variation characteristics analysis for the new-generation BeiDou satellite navigation system, GPS Solututions 22:60, DOI 10.1007/s10291-018-0726-x
[9] Dilssner F. (2018), BeiDou IGSO-7, personal communication, 11 November 2018
[10] CSNO (2019) Definitions and descriptions of BDS/GNSS satellite parameters for high precision applications, BD 420025-2019, in Chinese

QZSS

QZSS

This page provides an overview of the Satellites in the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System Constellation. Technical parameters of the individual satellites and related conventions applied within the MGEX project are summarized in the Spacecraft Characteristics section. Furthermore, a list of Events of interest for the QZSS data processing is given.

 

Satellites

The Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) currently comprises four satellites in an inclined geo-synchronous orbit and one satellite in geo-stationary orbit.

Common Name
SVN
Int. Sat. ID
NORAD ID
PRN
Notes
QZS-1 (Michibiki) J001 2010-045A 37158 J01 launched 2010/09/11
QZS-2 (Michibiki-2) J002 2017-028A 42738 J02 launched 2017/06/01
QZS-3 (Michibiki-3) J003 2017-048A 42917 J07 launched 2017/08/19
QZS-4 (Michibiki-4) J004 2017-062A 42965 J03
QZS-1R J005 2021-096A 49336 J04 launched 2021/10/26

Spacecraft Characteristics

A comprehensive collection of technical information with associated references for the QZS-1 spacecraft can be obtained at ESA’s eoPortal . The Cabinet Office provides QZSS Satellite Information and Operational History Information on a dedicated web site. Physical key parameters of the spacecraft are summarized below:

Parameter
QZS-1
QZS-2
QZS-3
QZS-4
Orbit IGSO IGSO GEO IGSO
Launch mass 4100 kg 4000 kg 4700 kg 4000 kg
Dry mass 1800 kg 1550 kg 1685 kg 1550 kg
Body size 2.35 m x 2.35 m x 5.70 m 2.40 m x 2.40 m x 6.20 m 2.4 m x 2.4 m x 5.4 m 2.40 m x 2.40 m x 6.20 m
Span width 25.25 m 19.00 m 19 m 19.00 m
SRP acceleration 156 nm/s2 n/a n/a n/a

QZS-1

The QZS-1 spacecraft is equipped with a primary L-band antenna (L-ANT) for transmission of the L1 C/A, L1C, L2C, L5, and L6 LEX signals, whereas a separate (LS-ANT) antenna is used for the L1 SAIF signal. In addition, a laser retroreflector array (LRA) is provided to enable precise distance measurements using satellite laser ranging.

QZSS spacecraft reference system and sensor locations
Fig. 1 QZSS spacecraft reference system and sensor locations.

Reproduced from DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019 with permission of Elsevier; satellite image courtesy JAXA.

Phase center coordinates of the GNSS antennas and the LRA as recommended for QZS-1 processing within the MGEX project are provided in the following table. All values refer to the spacecraft coordinate system illustrated in Fig. 1. The spacecraft coordinate system is aligned with the main body axes and originates near the center of the launch adapter plane. In accord with IGS conventions, the individual axes are aligned in the following way:

  • the +zIGS-axis is oriented along the boresight direction of the L-ANT antenna;
  • the +yIGS-axis is parallel to the rotation axis of the solar panels and oriented such that the LRA is located in the first quadrant of the xIGS/yIGS-plane relative to the L-ANT;
  • the +xIGS-axis completes a right handed system;

While the center of mass (CoM) may shift by roughly 3 cm over the mission life-time, the value for mid 2012 is adopted as a conventional value for a harmonized processing. Begin-of-life (BoL) and End-of-life (EoL) values are given for information, only. CoM coordinates previously reported in [2] for satellite laser ranging support are superseded by more recent values provided in [1].

A machine-readable version of the phase center offset information for QZS-1 is provided as part of the IGS14 ANTEX file.

QZS-1
Coordinates (w.r.t. origin)
Coordinates (w.r.t. CoM)
Reference
xIGS yIGS zIGS xIGS yIGS zIGS
L-ANT L1 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +5017.8 mm -0.9 mm +2.9 mm +3197.9 mm [1]
L-ANT L2 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +4812.8 mm -0.9 mm +2.9 mm +2992.9 mm [1]
L-ANT L5 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +4897.8 mm -0.9 mm +2.9 mm +3077.9 mm [1]
L-ANT L6 0.0 mm 0.0 mm +4967.8 mm -0.9 mm +2.9 mm +3147.9 mm [1]
LS-ANT L1 -1150.0 mm -700.0 mm +4835.0 mm -1150.9 mm -697.1 mm +3015.1 mm [1]
LRA +1150.0 mm +550.0 mm +4505.3 mm +1149.1 mm +552.9 mm +2685.4 mm [2]
CoM (BoL) +0.9 mm -2.9 mm +1819.2 mm [1]
CoM (Jul 2012) +0.9 mm -2.9 mm +1819.9 mm [1]
CoM (EoL) +0.9 mm -3.1 mm +1851.2 mm [1]

The attitude law that describes the orientation of the QZS-1 satellite in space, depends on the elevation of the Sun relative to the orbital plane (also known as β angle):

  • For |β| > 20° the satellite is operated in “yaw-steering mode”. Here, the +zIGS-axis is pointed to the Earth, while the yIGS-axis is oriented perpendicular to the plane made up by the Sun, Earth, and satellite. Furthermore, xIGS-axis is oriented such that the Sun is always located in the +xIGS hemisphere, while the -xIGS-axis points to “deep space” at all times to minimize heating of the onboard clocks. The QZS-1 yaw-steering mode matches the standard attitude law of the GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellites.
  • For |β| < 20° the satellite is operated in “orbit normal mode”. While the +zIGS-axis is again pointed towards the center of the Earth, the +yIGS-axis is held perpendicular to the orbital plane and parallel to the orbital angular momentum vector. The +xIGS-axis is roughly oriented in anti-flight direction.

While the location of the L-ANT phase center relative to the center of mass is essentially independent of the yaw-angle (i.e. the rotation about the +zIGS-axis), knowledge of the actual attitude is required for phase wind-up modeling and for the computation of the absolute LS-ANT and LRA positions.

Further details and the mathematical formulations of the QZS-1 attitude modes are provided in [3] and [4].

QZS-2, QZS-3, QZS-4

Satellite property information and operational history information of the Block II IGSO satellites QZS-2 and QZS-4 as well as the GEO satellite QZS-3 are provided by the Cabinet Office in different documents available at a specific website. These documents include information about reference frames, attitude law, mass and center of mass, antenna phase center corrections, geometry, group delays, and transmit power.

QZS-1R

QZS-1R was launched in October 2021 and is the replenishment satellite for QZS-1. It is the first satellite capable of transmitting the L1C/B signal instead of L1C/A to avoid interference in the L1 band.

Notes:

  • QZS-1 operational history information as well as complementary information on the current status of QZSS is provided at the QZSS web site of the Cabinet Office. This site also provides the QZSS Interface Specification and Notice Advisory to QZSS Users (NAQU) messages.
  • QZSS employs distinct PRNs for the L1 SAIF SBAS signal (PRN(SAIF) = 183, 184, …) and the other ranging signals (PRN(std) = 193, 194,…). In order to ensure a unique RINEX satellite number for each QZSS satellite, it is recommended to consistently use the satellite number “Jnn” with nn = PRN(std)-192=PRN(SAIF)-182. Use of an SBAS RINEX satellite number “Snn” with nn = PRN(SAIF)-100 is deprecated.
  • The experimental remote synchronization system for an onboard crystal oscillator (RESSOX) of QZSS aims at the use of a ground-controlled low cost oscillator onboard a GNSS satellite as an alternative to a high-performance atomic frequency standard.

References

[1] Kogure S., priv. comm. (20 July 2012)
[2] QZS-1 ILRS SLR Mission Support Request Form – Retroreflector Information
[3] Ishijima Y., Inaba N., Matsumoto A., Terada K., Yonechi H., Ebisutani H., Ukawa S., Okamoto T., “Design and Development of the First Quasi-Zenith Satellite Attitude and Orbit Control System”, Proceedings of the IEEE Aerospace Conference, March 7-14 2009, Big Sky, MT, USA, (2009). DOI 10.1109/AERO.2009.4839537
[4] Montenbruck O., Schmid R., Mercier F., Steigenberger P., Noll C., Fatkulin R., Kogure S., Ganeshan A. S. (2015) GNSS satellite geometry and attitude models. Advances in Space Research 56(6):1015-1029. DOI 10.1016/j.asr.2015.06.019
[5] Cabinet Office (2020) QZSS Satellite Information

EVENTS

 

Date UTC Satellite PRN Description Notes
~2010/12/15   QZS-1 J01 Transmission of standard codes Kishimoto et al. (2012)
2011/02/16   QZS-1 J01 Orbit maneuver Hauschild (2011); TUM/CONGO
2011/02/16 07:00 - 17:15 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2011/03/07 10:04 - 10:34 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2011/04/20 07:49 - 08:12 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2011/05/11 01:30 - 11:45 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2011/05/22   QZS-1 J01 L1-C/A and L2C signals set healthy Kishimoto et al. (2012)
2011/07/14   QZS-1 J01 L1C and L5 signals set healthy Kishimoto et al. (2012)
2011/07/16 01:30 QZS-1 J01 Start of RESSOX NAQU 2011002
2011/07/23 08:10 QZS-1 J01 End of RESSOX NAQU 2011004
2011/09/07 09:22 - 09:51 QZS-1 J01 Mode chanbe YS to ON DLR analysis
2011/10/22 07:34 - 08:04 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2012/11/09 13:00 - 23:30 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2012/01/04 09:21 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 21:19 UTC) NAQU 2012001-002
2012/01/21 01:28 QZS-1 J01 Start of RESSOX NAQU 2012003-005
2012/01/28 06:55 QZS-1 J01 End of RESSOX NAQU 2012003-005
2012/02/24 11:04 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 12:40 UTC) NAQU 2012006-007
2012/03/03 09:57 - 10:25 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2012/03/07 05:35 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 16:18 UTC) NAQU 2012008-009
2012/04/16 07:43 - 08:00 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2012/05/02 01:32 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2012/05/03 01:13 UTC) NAQU 2012010-011
2012/05/02 02:00 - 12:00 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2012/06/03 16:42 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2012/06/04 01:15 UTC) NAQU 2012013-014
2012/07/04 21:30 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2012/07/05 12:11 UTC); switched from Rb clock 2 to Rb clock 1 NAQU 2120015-016
2012/09/03 09:25 - 09:53 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2012/09/29 14:07 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2012/09/29 18:25 UTC) NAQU 2012017-018
2012/10/18 07:35 - 08:05 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2012/11/07 12:56 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2012/11/08 21:24 UTC) NAQU 2012019-020
2012/11/07 13:00 - 23:30 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit Maneuver DLR analysis
2012/12/05 21:21 QZS-1 J01 Unusable(until 2012/12/06 02:05 UTC) NAQU 2012021-022
2013/01/30 06:25 QZS-1 J01 Unusable(until 2013/01/30 08:35 UTC) NAQU 2013001-002
2013/02/27 09:56 - 10:28 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2013/04/13 07:50 - 08:17 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2013/05/01 01:14 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2013/05/02 00:16 UTC) NAQU 2013003-004
2013/05/01 01:36 - 11:48 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit Maneuver DLR analysis
2013/08/30 09:28 - 10:00 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2013/10/11 07:28 - 08:14 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2013/10/30 12:15 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2013/10/31 13:24 UTC) NAQU 2013005-006
2013/10/30 13:30 -23:30 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2013/11/11 19:56 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2013/11/11 23:30 UTC) NAQU 2013007-008
2014/04/10 00:34 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2014/04/10 13:18 UTC) NAQU 2014001-002
2014/04/30 01:03 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2014/05/01 02:34 UTC) NAQU 2014003-004
2014/05/02 23:35 QZS-1 J01 L5 unavailable (until 2014/05/03 02:31 UTC) NAQU 2014005
2014/10/29 12:39 QZS-1 J01 Start of 2-day transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAQU 2014008
2014/10/31 10:23 QZS-1 J01 End of transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring, NAQU 2014008
2015/02/20 10:00 - 10:29 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2015/04/05 07:23 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2014/04/05 15:06 UTC) NAQU 2014001-002
2015/04/06 18:33 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2014/04/06 19:31 UTC) NAQU 2014003
2015/04/06 07:43 - 08:15 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2015/04/22 01:07 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2014/04/23 03:21 UTC) NAQU 2014004-005
2015/04/22 01:24 - 11:24 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2015/08/23 09:47 - 10:05 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2015/10/07 07:50 - 08:20 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2015/10/21 12:20 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2015/10/23 12:20 UTC) NAQU 2015007
2015/10/21 13:17 - 23:21 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2015/11/20 08:32 QZS-1 J01 Start of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/23 23:21 QZS-1 J01 End of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/11/27 08:04 QZS-1 J01 Start of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/04 11:50 QZS-1 J01 End of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/06 23:30 QZS-1 J01 Start of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/09 08:40 QZS-1 J01 End of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/20 23:30 QZS-1 J01 Start of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2015/12/22 08:36 QZS-1 J01 End of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/01/08 09:04 QZS-1 J01 Start of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/01/15 10:47 QZS-1 J01 End of SAIF transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2016/02/16 10:00 - 10:28 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2016/04/01 07:48 - 08:18 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2016/04/20 00:10 QZS-1 J01 Unusable (until 2016/04/22 00:10 UTC) NAQU 2016001
2016/08/18 09:42 - 10:12 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2016/10/03 07:53 - 08:25 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2016/10/05 13:48 - 24:00 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis
2017/02/17 08:49 - 09:16 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2017/03/27 07:59 - 08:28 QZS-1 J01 Mode change ON to YS DLR analysis
2017/04/07 10:13 - 23:21 QZS-1 J01 ON mode, slow yaw exit (4h) DLR analysis
2017/04/08 15:15 - 18:36 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis, NAQU 2017008 - 010
2017/04/09 16:17 - 18:36 QZS-1 J01 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis, NAQU 2017008 - 010
2017/06/01 QZS-2 J02 Launch of QZS-2
2017/06/27 10:17 - 12:37 QZS-2 J02 First L5 signal transmission CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/07/27 22:00 QZS-2 J02 Start of regular broadcast ephemerides transmission CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/08/19 QZS-3 J03 Launch of QZS-3
2017/08/20 09:42 - 10:06 QZS-1 J01 Mode change YS to ON DLR analysis
2017/09/10 ~09:00 QZS-3 J07 Start of signal transmission CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/09/15 09:05 QZS-2 J02 QZS-2 declared usable NAQU 2017074
2017/09/25 Afternoon QZS-1 J01 Start of transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/09/26 Afternoon QZS-1 J01 End of transmission outage CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/10/09 22:01 QZS-4 J03 Launch of QZS-4 NAQU 2017091
2017/11/01 Morning QZS-4 J03 Start of signal transmission, partly using non-standard code J06 CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/11/02 Morning QZS-4 J03 Transmission of non-standard code J06 CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/11/15 QZS-2 J02 ON mode due to orbit maneuver DLR analysis, NAQU 2017108

SBAS

SBAS

This page provides an overview of the satellites used in worldwide Satellite Based Augmentation Systems.

  • BeiDou Satellite-Based Augmentation System (BDSBAS)
  • European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS)
  • GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)
  • Geoscience Australia (SBAS) Test-Bed Project (GATBP)
  • Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS)
  • Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS)
  • Nigerian Satellite Augmentation System (NSAS)
  • Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS)
  • System for Differential Corrections and Monitoring (SDCM)
  • Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS)

Satellites

System Common Name Long. Int. Sat. ID NORAD ID PRN Signals Notes
BDSBAS BeiDou-3 GEO-1 140°E 2018-085A 43683 130 B1C/B2a Launched 2018/11/01; BDSBAS signal transmission since November 9, 2018
BeiDou-3 GEO-2 80°E 2020-017A 45344 144 B1C/B2a Launched 2020/03/09
BeiDou-3 GEO-3 110.5°E 2020-040A 45807 143 B1C/B2a Launched 2020/06/23
EGNOS
Inmarsat 4-F2 64°E 2005-044A 28899 126 L1 Launched 2005/11/08
SES-5 (Sirius-5, Astra-4B) 5°E 2012-036A 38652 136 L1/L5 Launched 2012/07/10; operational since Sep. 02, 2015.
Astra-5B 31.5°E 2014-011B 39617 123 L1/L5 Launched 2014/03/22; transmission of L1 test signals started Dec. 11, 2014.
EUTELSAT 5 West B 5°W 2019-067A 44624 121? Launched 2019/10/09
GAGAN GSAT-8 55°E 2011-022A 37605 127 L1/L5 Launched May 20, 2011. Certifed horizontal/vertical service since Feb. 2014/April 2015.
GSAT-10 83°E 2012-051B 38779 128 L1/L5 Launched 2012/09/28; certifed horizontal/vertical service since Feb. 2014/April 2015.
GATBP Inmarsat 4-F1 (PAC-W) 143.5°E 2005-009A 28628 122 L1/L5 Transmitting message type 0; not for safety-of-life use. L1 transmissions began May 31, 2017.
MSAS MTSAT-1R 140°E 2005-006A 28622 129 L1 MSAS commissioned for aviation use on September 27, 2007. Either satellite can transmit both PRN signals if necessary.
MTSAT-2 145°E 2006-004A 28937 137 L1 MSAS commissioned for aviation use on September 27, 2007. Either satellite can transmit both PRN signals if necessary.
NSAS NigComSat-1R 42°E 2011-077A 38014 147 L1/L5 L1 tests
QZSS QZS-2 136°E 2017-028A 42738 184 L1/L5 See QZSS Status Page
QZS-3 127°E 2017-048A 42917 189 L1/L5 See QZSS Status Page
QZS-4 136°E 2017-062A 42965 185 L1/L5 See QZSS Status Page
QZS-1R 2021-096A 49336 186 L1/L5 See QZSS Status Page
SDCM Luch-5A 167°E 2011-074B 37951 140 L1 Launched on December 11, 2011. Initially positioned at 58.5°E, it was shifted to 95°E between about May 30 and June 28, 2012, then shifted 167°E between about Nov. 30 and Dec. 22, 2012. Transmissions as PRN 140 began on July 12, 2012. Transmitted occasional, non-coherent code/carrier test signals.
Luch-5B 16°W 2014-023A 39727 141 L1 Launched April 28, 2014. Testing may have started using PRN 140, not 141.
Luch-5V 16°W 2012-061A 38977 125 L1 Launched Nov. 2, 2012, and started transmitting signals on Jan. 17, 2013.
WAAS EUTELSAT 117W B 117°W 2016-038B 41589 131 L1/L5 Anik F1R ranging supports enroute through precision approach modes. The payload, operated by Lockheed Martin for the FAA, is known as LMPRS-2.
SES-15 129°W 2017-026A 42709 133 L1/L5
Intelsat Galaxy 30 125°W 2020-056C 46114 135 L1/L5

Notes:

  • The information given above is largely based on the The Almanac maintained by R. Langley for the GPS World magazine.
  • Dual-frequency (L1/L5) observations of WAAS and GAGAN satellites are provided by a limited set of monitoring stations of the MGEX network. The respective stations and tracked satellites are listed in the RINEX Observation File Summary generated on a daily basis by the Astronomical Institute of the University of Bern.
  • In RINEX observations and navigation files, SBAS satellites are identified by a three character satellite number made up of the constellation letter “S” and the two digit number nn=PRN-100. For QZSS (see QZSS Interface Specification, different PRN numbers are employed for the L1 SAIF SBAS signal (PRN(L1 SAIF)=183, 184), the L5 SAIF SBAS signal (PRN(L5 SAIF)=196), and the other ranging signals (PRN(std)=193, 194). In order to ensure a unique RINEX satellite number for each QZSS satellite, it is recommended to use the satellite number “Jnn” with n=PRN(L1 SAIF)-182 (=PRN(std)-192) when referring to QZSS L1 SAIF observations or navigation messages. The use of an SBAS RINEX satellite number “Snn” with nn=PRN(SAIF)-100 is deprecated for QZSS satellites.
  • For the assignment of GPS and SBAS PRN numbers see the information page of the Los Angeles Air Force Base.
  • On March 22 and 23, 2012, Inmarsat-4-F2 at 25 degrees east using PRN126 and Artemis at 21.5 degrees east using PRN124 switched roles. PRN126 became an EGNOS operational signal-in-space satellite while PRN124 became the test satellite, transmitting message type 0. PRN120 and PRN126 returned to service around 17:00 UTC on Tuesday, June 26. According to an EGNOS service announcement dated April 3, 2012 the switch was due to the aging state of the Artemis satellite. (Source: CANSPACE, GPS World)
  • L1Sb transmission of QZS-3 with PRN 187 is planned to start in 2020.

 

Historic SBAS satellites

System Common Name Long. Int. Sat. ID NORAD ID PRN Signals Notes
EGNOS Inmarsat 3-F2 (AOR-E) 15.5°W 1996-053A 24307 120 L1 Inmarsat 3-F2 began Safety-of-Life Service on March 2, 2011; End of signal transmission in 2018.
Inmarsat 4-F2 (IOR-W) 25°E 2005-044A 28899 126 L1 Inmarsat-4-F2 began Safety-of-Life Service on March 22, 2012, and is transmitting message type 2. Retired.
QZSS QZS-1 137.5°E 2010-045A3 37158 183 L1
WAAS TeleSat Anik F1R (CRE) 107.3°W 2005-036A 28868 138 L1/L5 Anik F1R ranging supports enroute through precision approach modes. The payload, operated by Lockheed Martin for the FAA, is known as LMPRS-2.
Intelsat Galaxy 15 (CRW) 133°W 2005-041A 28884 135 L1/L5 Galaxy 15 ranging supports enroute through precision approach modes. Switched to backup satellite oscillator on Jan. 6, 2012. The payload, operated by Lockheed Martin for the FAA, is known as LMPRS-1.
Inmarsat 4-F3 (AMR) 98°W 2008-039A 33278 133 L1/L5 Inmarsat-4-F3 supports non-precision approach ranging service. End of signal transmission 15 Nov 2017

Events

Date
UTC
Satellite
PRN
Description
Notes
2017/06/01 Morning Inmarsat 4-F1 S22 Short L5 signal transmission, only tracked by two SEPT_POLARX4 receivers (GAMG and UNX3) CONGO/MGEX monitoring
2017/05/31 Morning Inmarsat 4-F1 S22 Start of intermittent L1 signal transmission CONGO/MGEX monitoring

 

Last Updated on 1 Mar 2024 09:57 UTC

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