The Ariane mobile naval station

Developed by CNES on behalf of ESA, this station, known as the STNA, can be set up on land or sea, and transported by road, sea or air.  Its main objective is to enable the downstream stations network to be rapidly modified for certain launch scenarios.  In particular, it is mobilised for launches with atypical trajectories (towards the north or north-east), where it complements the network of fixed equatorial stations.  Based in Arcachon, France where it was constructed, it can be used at other sites around the world, depending on Ariane's launch trajectory, as well as for other launchers, if required, once it has undergone a few modifications.  It also forms part of the ATV's telemetry system.   Fully autonomous in terms of power, the STNA can be installed just about anywhere, on completely isolated sites lacking any infrastructure.  It is operated by a team of three.  Its initial land-based version  was used for the first time on 10 December 1999 to monitor the launch of Ariane 504 towards the north-east.  The station fulfilled all expectations, receiving telemetry from the launcher when it was as far away as 6,000 km.

Moreover, whenever the launcher has to pass through a "telemetry hole" over the ocean during the propelled phase, where continuous telemetry is essential, the STNA can also be installed on a ship such as the MN Toucan or the MN Colibri.  In this case, the naval antenna operates from a horizontal platform stabilised by six jacks which counteract the effects of the ocean swell on the ship.  This enhancement was implemented for flight 167 in December 2005, henceforth adding the 'naval' epithet to the station.