INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L/S-band
INTREPID 300-5 is a compact and cost-effective 3.0m ground station antenna system designed for high-precision space operations in the L and S bands. It combines a 3-meter mesh prime focus antenna operating up to 5 GHz with a professional alt-az tracking system, enhanced by the same proprietary technologies used in larger INTREPID systems, including FusionTCU, SpaceSyncAlign and SystemHealthSTS, enabling advanced control, simplified alignment and continuous system monitoring. With automatic tracking based on TLE or NORAD ID, advanced scheduling, and secure RESTful APIs for third-party integration, INTREPID 300-5 provides a flexible and scalable solution for satellite communications and space missions where lower cost is a key requirement.
Product Details
The INTREPID 300-5 consists of a 3-meter mesh dish antenna, the high-precision GS-100II antenna tracking system and the C106-HEAVY pier for installation on a concrete foundation. The mount features a reinforced mechanical design with high-torque motors coupled to precision gearboxes, ensuring optimal structural balance and stability. This design provides excellent pointing performance and a wind survival speed of 150 km/h.
Main Features
- 3 meter diameter prime focus mesh antenna, for frequencies up to 5 GHz.
- GS-100II weatherproof alt-az antenna tracking system, with 100 Kg payload capacity, remotely controlled with a standard network cable.
- High antenna slewing speed, up to 6°/sec for each axis, integrated safety system with emergency stop button (optional light and audio signals).
- Pointing accuracy 0,05° with absolute encoders on both axes
- FusionTCU technology with N-ACU Next-gen Antenna Control Unit integrated into the MCU Motor Control Unit for autonomous operations and improved safety
- SpaceSyncAlign technology to easily align antenna on site
- SystemHealthSTS technology to continuously monitor status of tracking system components like motors, encoders, internal environmental data, fans, voltage and others.
- Automatic tracking based on TLE (offline) or NORAD ID (online).
- Advanced scheduler (SNAP Command Line compliant) to program automatic point and track of an object with report
- C106-HEAVY high load capacity pier for concrete base: designed to keep the antenna system permanently installed in the field.
- Wind sensor for INTREPID to auto stow the antenna when wind speed reaches operational limit.
- Industrial-Grade temperature working range: INTREPID 300-5 antenna and tracking system is able to work in environments with temperatures from -25°C to +55°C
- Available API developer documentation to integrate in third party control softwares.
- RESTful based API commands protected by encryption with certificate based autentication
- Compatible with optional Radio2Space control software
3.0 meter diameter prime focus mesh antenna: fine metallic mesh construction, with special front and rear supports
GS-100II antenna tracking system with 100kg payload capacity and absolute encoders on both axes
C106-HEAVY high load capacity pier for concrete base, designed to keep the radio telescope permanently installed in the field
Thanks to purpose-developed technologies, INTREPID ground station antenna systems can be used to support spacecraft exploration and satellite missions in Earth orbit. By integrating external receivers or transceivers, which are not included with INTREPID, the system can be used to receive telemetry data transmitted from spacecraft or to perform radio science activities. INTREPID ground station antenna systems feature high-precision tracking, enabling accurate spacecraft tracking with high-directivity antennas. This reduces background noise and improves the detection of weak signals from space. Remote operation capabilities allow precise control of antenna positioning and continuous monitoring, even when receiving extremely faint signals.
3-meter diameter prime focus mesh dish antenna for frequencies up to 5 GHz
To create a powerful yet compact and easy-to-handle ground station antenna system, we developed the 3-meter diameter parabolic antenna with fine metallic mesh construction that provides a large collecting surface while maintaining a low overall weight. A reinforced rear support structure preserves the rigidity of the parabolic antenna when mounted, preventing deformation and ensuring accurate pointing performance. This design also helps maintain an optimal parabolic profile. For ease of transport and installation, the antenna is shipped in four sections and can be assembled quickly on site. A specially designed quick-release system allows the antenna to be easily removed from the tracking system, for example for storage during extreme weather conditions.
GS-100II: antenna tracking system with FusionTCU
The INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L and S bands does not rely on amateur radio rotators, but uses the professional GS-100II antenna tracking system, specifically designed and built to be robust, precise and reliable for continuous ground station operations. The GS-100II provides a 100 kg payload capacity and is equipped with high-resolution absolute encoders on both axes, ensuring accurate pointing and stable tracking performance.
The GS-100II is enhanced by the same technologies adopted in larger INTREPID systems. FusionTCU technology, with the N-ACU Next-generation Antenna Control Unit integrated directly into the Motor Control Unit, enables autonomous operations, advanced safety features and seamless coordination of all antenna subsystems. SpaceSyncAlign technology simplifies on-site antenna alignment, while SystemHealthSTS continuously monitors motors, encoders, environmental and electrical parameters to maximize reliability and operational uptime. The GS-100II supports automatic tracking based on TLE (offline) or NORAD ID (online), an advanced scheduler for automated operations, and secure RESTful API commands for integration with third-party mission control and ground segment software. This transforms the GS-100II from a simple tracking system into a fully manageable and intelligent ground station asset.
C106-HEAVY high load capacity pier
Due to its 3-meter diameter, the antenna can generate significant loads on the ground. When combined with the weight of the GS-100II tracking system, a highly stable and robust anchoring solution is required. The C106-HEAVY pier is designed to meet these requirements, ensuring permanent, long-term installation of the INTREPID 300-5 ground station antenna system in the field. Both the INTREPID 300-5 and the C106-HEAVY pier are intended to be installed on a reinforced concrete foundation and secured using high-strength anchor bolts. Installation and operation manuals for the ground station antenna system are provided, along with a reference design for the concrete foundation. This example must be prepared and verified by the customer based on the soil conditions and site characteristics of the installation location.
INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L/S-band: dimensions
INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L/S-band: specifications
- Antenna diameter (m): 3.0
- Antenna type: Prime focus
- Antenna F/D: 0.38
- Antenna gain (S-band): 31.5 dBi
- Feed: not included
- Working frequency: up to 5 GHz
- Azimuth max Velocity: 6 deg/s
- Elevation max Velocity: 6 deg/s
- Operating Altitude: 3000m max, above 1000m derating of 1%/100m
- Max operational wind speed: 14 m/s (50 Km/h)
- Survival wind speed (stow position): 42 m/s (150 Km/h)
- Weight: 350 kg
- Supply voltage: 1~ 230 VAC ±10%, 50 Hz (L+N+PE), TN-S
- Emergency stop switch
INTREPID 300-5: easy to control and integrate with Radio2Space mission control platform
INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system is natively integrated with the Radio2Space mission control platform that we specifically designed in order to provide you with the easy way to create or expand your ground segment. In fact INTREPID 300-5 is available with the Radio2Space APIs to allow developers to effortlessly integrate the operation of INTREPID ground stations into their existing antenna networks or mission control software systems. And it can be used also with the optional Radio2Space Cloud to let users manage one or multiple INTREPID ground stations remotely.
INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L/S-band: site preparations
INTREPID 300-5 ground station antenna system is designed to be installed on a concrete base with an underground duct connecting the antenna to control room that the customer has to prepare before the installation (suggested design is provided in the INTREPID 300-5 user manual). The image below shows cables and connections that are needed to connect antenna external unit to the control room. Power and grounding systems are needed and they have to be provided by the customer.
INTREPID 300-5 3.0m ground station antenna system for L/S-band: optional accessories
- Mount-over-Fiber kit for INTREPID: it allows to remotely control the antenna tracking system from very long distances by replacing the network cable with a dedicated optical fiber that can be up to 2km long.
- Internal cooling system: suggested in case of climatic conditions with very high temperatures, if the internal temperature in the antenna tracking system head exceeds +55°C (can be installed only when ordering, it is not possible to add it later).
- Internal anti-dew system: to prevent humidity condensation inside the tracking system enclosure, suggested in case of high humidity environments
- VHF/UHF Antennas expansion mounting support for INTREPID: to install in parallel of the 3-meter diameter parabolic antenna Yagi antennas for UHF or VHF applications.
- C106-HEAVY-F pier with legs: it allows you to use INTREPID 300-5 ground station antenna system without the need to fix it on a concrete base, thanks to the specially designed legs. C106-HEAVY-F pier with legs weights 200 kg, it’s designed to allow operation of a 3 meter diameter parabolic antenna.
INTREPID ground station antenna system: much more than an antenna
INTREPID ground station antenna system is the result of many years in research by PrimaLuceLab engineering team that designs, develops, assembles and tests in-house all our antenna systems. This way INTREPID ground station antenna system provide unmatched performance by standard off-the-shelf antennas that are not designed for space communication: better tracking and pointing precision, higher sensitivity, better engineering quality and great italian design!
Since we create INTREPID ground station antenna systems in our factory in Italy, you can take advantage of the direct relation with the us that are the real antenna system manufacturer. Our pre-sale service can help you in everything you may need before your antenna system order. Our post-sale support can provide you with updates for hardware and software products that we specifically develop for our antenna systems. Our internal team of trained technicians is also able to install INTREPID at your location, all around the World!
