In this DAT division we develop software systems for space projects that include both the platform that orbits around the Earth or interplanetary probe and the other elements that are involved on it: the earth station to sends and receives commands and data, the software systems of the earth station, the communications networks, the satellite launcher, the use of the data that satellite sends, etc.

What is the land segment of a space project? The Space Systems are divided in two parts: the flight segment and the earth segment. The earth segment this formed by all the elements that are in earth, like for example the Control centre of the satellite, the Data centre, the telecommunications antenna, the scientific centres that process and use the data, the communications networks, etc.

DAT develops software systems for the land segment of a satellite and mainly systems of Mission Planning.

The Mission Planning area is where we gather more experience and “ know-how”.

What is the flight segment?
T he flight segment, also named Space Segment, is made up of one or several satellites (Spacecrafts). Each one of the satellites that form it composes as well of two parts: the platform and the payload. The platform contains the basic infrastructure of the satellite. It provides the telecommunications services to send the data gathered in earth, the motors to correct orbits or to point the satellite, gyroscopes, data process units, etc. So to say, contains all those elements that are common in the satellites and that could be reused from a mission to another one. The payload is formed by the elements that will make the measurements, i.e. the scientific instruments, the telecommunications equipment in a satellite of telecommunications, etc. The payload, unlike the platform, is the specific part of a mission and they are usually designed for this concrete mission.

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