GTD, in behalf of the CNES (French Space Agency) and CSG (Guyana Space Center), has developed and delivered the new Trajectory Tracking & Flight Safety system, called SCTV2. The Control Room shows the launcher’s trajectory in 2D and 3D views The Trajectory Tracking and Safety System is responsible for the pursuit of launchers (Ariane 5, Vega and Soyuz) providing the control and supervision of the flight safety information all along the mission. The software combines the most demanding safety criteria related to ground spatial systems. Safety information is used to neutralize the launcher in case of danger for people, good or the environment. Tracking parameters from ground stations located around the world Trajectory tracking data is based on radars, inertial navigation system and GPS. The tracking system calculates and displays in real time the launcher trajectory and the decision elements, necessary for the flight safety information. Furthermore, it provides the tracking and trajectory information to the non-safety dedicated users (trajectory restitution, target's designation for radars, telemetry stations and other pursuing means, on-board tracking data validation). The new system will replace and improve with new functionalities the existing system which is one of the key elements in the European Space Port, responsible for the tracking and mission safety of the launcher during the flight. The critical system was exhaustively validated in GTD premises, in Barcelona. After that, on October 2013, the SCTV2 project achieved a significant milestone: the technical qualification of the first version of the system that took place in the French Guyana Space Port. SCTV2 System being commissioned at GTD’s facilities in Barcelona The main scope of the qualified version of SCTV2 performs the Trajectory Tracking function by calculating and displaying in real time the trajectory of Ariane, Soyouz or Vega launchers. The most visible part of the system will be the image displayed in the Jupiter Control Room showing the trajectory in 2D and 3D views, and broadcasted during the launches. However, behind these views, there are thousands of lines of critical code and complex scientific algorithms being executed under real-time conditions. The first version of the SCTV2 system is currently on operational qualification by the CSG, and it is foreseen the system will be already used for the next launch, in December 2013. GTD is currently working hard on the second version of the SCTV2 system that will take into account the Flight Safety system, responsible to assure the protection of population and infrastructures during the first part of the flight. In addition, GTD is working on the proposal of the third version of the system based on infrastructure improvement focus on cluster technologies.
