BAE Systems and Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd (GES) (www.goonhilly.org) have entered into a partnership to commercialise deep-space communications.

BAE Systems (www.baesystems.com) will supply two tracking, telemetry and command processor (TTCP) systems; these will allow GES to track and communicate with a wide range of spacecraft, including manned and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars.

The partnership will involve working on the current deep-space programme with the European Space Agency (ESA) and developing a global network in the next four years.

The TTCP provides up-link and down-link services to support the spacecraft.

The up-link transmits commands that control the spacecraft, while the downlink receives data, including spacecraft health information, images, video and other scientific and engineering information.

Nick James, BAE Systems lead engineer for the project, said: “BAE has developed a highly precise space communications and tracking system, which is designed to support spacecraft operating both near the Earth and in deep space.

“The technology receives faint radio signals from spacecraft and converts them into data that mission controllers use to monitor and control the spacecraft.

“The highly flexible system can handle differing ESA and NASA requirements and protocols, which makes it an ideal choice to support Goonhilly in future space missions.”