GTD Delivers New Telemetry System SCET-M for Ariane 5, Soyuz and Vega Launches
On July 25, the 70th Ariane 5 rocket was successfully launched, placing two satellites — Alphasat and INSAT-3D — into orbit. This milestone marked the fifty-sixth consecutive successful Ariane 5 mission.
For GTD’s team at the Guiana Space Center (CSG) in Kourou, however, this launch represented more than another success in Europe’s launcher program. It was the first mission monitored using the newly deployed SCET-M telemetry system, developed by an industrial consortium between GTD and Dassault.
SCET-M: A New Generation Telemetry System
The SCET-M (Launcher Telemetry Exploitation and Centralization System) is responsible for receiving, decoding, processing and displaying telemetry data transmitted by launch vehicles during flight.
The system supports:
- Ariane 5
- Soyuz
- Vega
SCET-M manages approximately 1,500 telemetry parameters broadcast by the launcher and received from a network of ground stations located worldwide, including:
- Natal (Brazil)
- Ascension Island
- Libreville (Gabon)
- Malindi (Kenya)
These parameters include critical flight data such as propulsion power, tank pressures and trajectory information, transmitted at a rate of approximately 1 Mb per second.
Real-Time Monitoring and Post-Flight Analysis
Around 10% of the telemetry data is processed in real time and displayed for immediate visual inspection by operators at the Guiana Space Center. This real-time capability ensures continuous monitoring of launcher status and contributes to flight safety.
The remaining data is securely stored on hard disks for detailed post-flight analysis by Arianespace and other stakeholders.
This architecture guarantees both operational decision-making during flight and comprehensive mission evaluation after launch.
Commissioning and Industrial Collaboration
SCET-M was commissioned at GTD’s facilities in Barcelona before deployment at the Guiana Space Center. The system was developed through an industrial collaboration between GTD and Dassault, combining expertise in mission-critical software engineering and aerospace systems.
With SCET-M now operational, GTD reinforces its long-standing contribution to Europe’s space transportation programs, delivering high-assurance ground segment systems that support launch safety, reliability and mission success.
