Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

ESA - Maspalomas station

Date Built:

1960

Type

Communication

Purpose

The ESA Maspalomas Station ocated on the campus of the Instituto Nacional de Tecnica Aerospacial (INTA), in the southern part of the Canary Islands' Gran Canaria, at Montaña Blanca is a crucial facility providing essential support for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Cluster mission, which studies the Earth's magnetosphere. This station is equipped with advanced tracking and communication systems that ensure reliable data acquisition and spacecraft monitoring. By maintaining continuous contact with the Cluster satellites, Maspalomas Station plays a pivotal role in capturing valuable scientific data on space weather and magnetospheric phenomena. In addition to its primary role, the Maspalomas Station serves as a backup support center for various ESA missions. It is instrumental during the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) of new missions, providing vital communication and tracking capabilities to ensure successful spacecraft deployment and initial operations. The station's versatility and reliability make it a key asset for ESA, supporting a wide range of space missions and enhancing overall mission success.

Size Of Land

10 hectares

Site Owners

Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Site Operators

Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA)

Other Facilities

Tacking, telemetry, telecommand and radiometric measurements (ranging, Doppler, meteo).

Affiliated Organizations

European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT), Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and International Satellite System For Search and Rescue (COSPAS-SARSAT)

References