Space

Satélite Geoestacionário de Defesa e Comunicações Estratégicas (SGDC)
Geostationary Satellite of Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC)

The Geostationary Satellite of Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC) will bring broadband to the whole country and guarantee secure communication to the Brazilian government. The SGDC will be positioned at a distance of 36,000 kilometers from the Earth's surface, covering Brazil and the Atlantic Ocean. See, on page 49, the infographic representing coverage SGDC. From there, the satellite will communicate with an antenna 18 meters high, 13 meters in diameter and 42 tons, located in Brasília (DF). A second antenna in a secondary control center, will be in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).

In the space through the Ka band, SGDC had the capacity to process 54 gigabits per second, being considered by the Federal Government as a priority to expand broadband access in remote regions of the country. At the same time, via the X-band, the satellite will be used for military transmissions.

In Cannes, in the south of France, the Geostationary Satellite Defence and Strategic Communications (SGDC) was, from the month of April, for tests to simulate the conditions found in space. With 5.8 tons and five meters high, the satellite will be brought to a stand that makes vibrate, simulating the release conditions.

As for the months of June and July 2016 it was expected to communications test campaign. Inside an anechoic chamber, which does not reflect the radio waves will evaluate the system's quality and antennas responsible for transmitting and receiving signals. The first satellite Test which began in March, was heat: the equipment was put into a vacuum chamber and subjected to temperatures ranging from -100 ° C to 125 ° C. The tests are part of the final phase of preparation for the launch, scheduled for the second half of 2016.

The project, a partnership between the Ministries of Defense, Communications and Science, Technology and Innovation, is an investment of R $ 1.7 billion. It is expected to enter service in early 2017, after a period of adjustment, and remain active for fifteen years.

The participation of Brazilians in all stages, construction, assembly and testing, allows each to better understand the procedures and also the practical difficulties encountered in each area (thermal, mechanical and communications). Other parameters must be taken into consideration and contoured so that the expected results for the satellite project, can be validated and confirmed during the tests.

There are about 30 Brazilian professionals from the Brazilian Space Agency, Telebras, Visiona, National Institute for Space Research (INPE), Ministry of Defence, which monitor the process, each dedicated to a specific area. The presence of Brazilian military and civilian professionals, is part of the technology absorption process. Detailed knowledge will enable them to identify and resolve possible malfunctions that may arise during the 15 years of useful life of the satellite. The expertise will also be useful to organizations in future projects of new satellites.

The overview of the operation, development and manufacture of SGDC is considered by Brazilian organizations as an important step for the Space Operations Centre (COPE) may, in the future, specify and hire new satellites, both in terms of ground infrastructure as spatial part. "Each one is being exposed not only new technologies, but mainly new concepts, new ways of working. Various parts of the design and operation of satellites are being gradually understood and demystified, "says Lieutenant Colonel.

The Defense Minister Raul Jungmann, participated on 24 November 2016 in a public hearing in the Senate to discuss ongoing projects and plans of the Armed Forces. Raul Jungmann stressed that next week, traveling with Air Force Commander to France, where he will receive the Geostationary Satellite Defense and Strategic Communications (SGDC). "There is no sovereignty, defense there, there is no defense industrial base without investment," said the minister. Senator Aloysio Nunes assured that the interests presented by Jungmann will be studied by comission. "They are valuable projects that will yield fruit," he said.