An activity requiring people with technical expertise

The main stages

The main stages involved in Telemetry are acquiring the signal transmitted by Ariane, receiving it, recording it in its entirety, and processing it for display by the Flight Safety engineers and the Arianespace customer. In particular this entails supplying the data needed for producing orbit insertion diagnostics.

The signal generated by the launcher groups together all the reference measurements.

The Measurement Acquisition Department

Stationed at the Galliot site on the Montagne des Pères, the Telemetry team is in charge of routine maintenance of the system and equipment to ensure an optimal operational configuration on launch day, as well as being responsible for future upgrades.  The CNES engineers making up the team each perform a number of roles and develop their various skills on an on-going basis, acting as telemetry specialists or experts, campaign and countdown telemetry managers, technical equipment managers, or even contracting authority (RMOA) for handling major technical developments.

The Measurement Acquisition Department of the Operations Sub-Directorate coordinates several different missions and comprises four major functions:  

 -          Telemetry (TLM), on behalf of Arianespace, Flight Safety and Tracking and Location

 -          Tracking and Location (LOC), essentially on behalf of Flight Safety to determine the launcher's trajectory in real time

 -          Weather forecasting (MTO), on behalf of Range Safety, the Flight cell and the emergency services (see issue n°73 of the CSG magazine, Latitude 5)  

 -          Analysis of System Measurements (ASM), in other words, the analysis of data from the launcher mission for ground systems, electromagnetic compatibility studies and coordination of the Measurement team during campaigns.

Telemetry and Tracking and Location rely upon similar skills and technologies. The main difference relates to the equipment used: Tracking and Location employs radars (which transmit a signal then get the response back from the launcher in order to establish its position), whereas telemetry antennas listen out for the launcher (which sends them a downlink signal).  

All these activities are fully complementary. Essential too, since they determine whether or not Ariane has the green light for launching, as well as testifying to each mission's successful completion.  Of course, though the ultimate objective is the European launcher's success, the priority remains clear: guarantee safety of life and property for the centre's neighbouring populations, as well as for the Guiana Space Centre itself, and all along the launcher's trajectory. 

Sixteen people work for the department on a number of different activities and in various geographic locations.  They are supported by the teams working under the Telemetry Industrial Service Contract.