Design and Construction of Satellite Tracking Rotator and Ground Station for Low Earth Orbit Satellites
Date
2023-03
Authors
Bagale, Amulya
Adhikari, Ankit
Thapa, Sagar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
IOE Pulchowk Campus
Abstract
The report entitled “DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF SATELLITE TRACKING
ROTATOR AND GROUND STATION FOR LOW EARTH ORBIT SATELLITES”
presents the design and construction of a ground station and rotator utilizing a helical
antenna that is compatible with the SatNOGS database. The ground station comprises
a support structure, a helical antenna, a rotator and a radio receiver. The selection of a
helical antenna is justified by its directional pattern and high gain, making it optimal
for satellite tracking. A rotator is integrated to monitor the satellite's movement across
the sky while the radio receiver decodes the signals. The SatNOGS database provides
a comprehensive catalogue of satellite orbits and schedules that can be used to plan
observations. Building a ground station with a helical antenna and rotator allows for
satellite tracking and communication, contributing to the network of satellite tracking
stations worldwide. This report delves into the details of the ground station's design and
construction, including the necessary components, support structure and software
required for optimal operation. Additionally, the use of the SatNOGS database for
scheduling observations and monitoring their progress is explained. The report
concludes with a discussion of the potential applications of the ground station, including
future scope and satellite operations.
Description
Satellite communication is a rapidly expanding field that has numerous applications,
such as weather monitoring, global positioning and television broadcasting. Satellites
orbiting the Earth are divided into three categories: LEO, GEO and MEO
Keywords
Ground station, Rotator