Ground Station Services at a Prime Location
The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) operates a network of advanced ground stations dedicated to receiving, processing, and distributing satellite data. The ground stations support a wide range of applications, from environmental monitoring and disaster response to climate research and natural resource management. ASF is at the forefront of satellite data services. We provide critical real-time data and analytics to a global community of researchers, government agencies, and commercial users. By leveraging our unique geographic position and cutting-edge technology, we ensure the reliable capture and distribution of satellite information, making it an essential asset for scientific and operational efforts worldwide.
ASF's Station Mask
The light blue circle on this Earth image above delineates the ASF station mask. Signals from satellites traveling over this area can reach ASF’s antennas.
Safe and Convenient Hosting Solutions
Real-Time Commercial Service
We are proud to be a part of ViaSat’s global Real-Time Earth network, through which satellite operators can reliably and securely stream data in real-time. We provide an X- and S-band antenna for lightning fast fiberoptic connectivity to the Lower 48. The ground station’s location (64.794, -147.536) is optimal for tracking polar-orbiting satellites and our antennas provide clients with 9-10 supports per day per spacecraft and are supported by ground station engineers with decades of experience.
UAF1
Key Features
- ViaSat 3-axis antenna
- 7.3m parabolic reflector
- S, X, and Ka-band downlink
- S-Band uplink
- Cassegrain configuration
- 4 ind. Freq. channels in X-band
- 400 Mbs per X-band channel
- Dual polarization support in X-band
- Model 3420 Insulated Riser
- Model 3424 Azimuth/train pedestal
- Series 3880 ACU
- VHR-1200 high-rate receiver
- 100W uplink amplifier
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 8000 – 8500 MHz |
| G/T | Theoretical = 32 dB/K Worst case A 5 deg El |
| Polarization | RHC or LHC |
| Antenna Beamwidth | 0.3 deg |
| Modulation | BPSK, QPSK, OQPSK, 8PSK |
| Modulation Format | Quad-Channel Mode 2x demodulators per IF channel | Dual-Channel Mode 1x demodulators per IF channel |
|---|---|---|
| Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) | 200 Mbps x 2 demods x 2 IF channels (800 Mbps total) | 400 Mbps x 2 IF channels (800 Mbps total) |
| Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) | 400 Mbps x 2 demods x 2 IF channels (1600 Mbps total) | 800 Mbps x 2 IF channels (1600 Mbps total) |
| Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK) | 400 Mbps x 2 demods x 2 IF channels (1600 Mbps total) | 800 Mbps x 2 IF channels (1600 Mbps total) |
| 9 Phase Shift Keying (8PSK) | 600 Mbps x 2 demods x 2 IF channels (2400 Mbps total) | 1200 Mbps x 2 IF channels (2400 Mbps total) |
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 2200-2300 MHz |
| G/T | Theoretical = 23 deg C Worst case @ 0.5 deg El = 19 dB |
| System Noise Temperature | 30 K |
| Polarization | RHC or LHC |
| Antenna Beamwidth | 1.2.deg |
| Antenna Gain | 48 dB @ Noise 30 K |
| Carrier Modulation | SC_AQPSK, BPSK, SGLS |
| Carrier Data Rate | 8 kbps to 128 kbps |
| Subcarrier Frequency | 1.024 MHz |
| Subcarrier Modulation | BPSK |
| Subcarrier Data Rate | 2 kbps to 128 kbps |
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency | 2025-2120 MHz |
| EIRP | 53 dBWi |
| Polarization | RHC or LHC |
| Antenna Beamwidth | 1.2.deg |
| Antenna Gain | 48 dB |
| Output Power | 100 W |
| Carrier Modulation | SGLS |
| Carrier Data Rate | 100 kbps to 1 Mbps |
| Subcarrier Frequency | 1.024 MHz |
| Subcarrier Modulation | FSK/AM |
| Subcarrier Data Rate | 100 bps |
ASF Near Space Network (NSN) Satellite Tracking Ground Station
The Alaska Satellite Facility (ASF) operates four satellite tracking and communications antennas that are part of the Near Space Network (NSN), a global array of ground-based spacecraft-support facilities managed by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The ASF ground station provides downlink support for transferring science data from satellites in low Earth orbit and support for telemetry, tracking, and command functions. These services are provided across multiple radio frequencies – S-band, X-band, and Ka-band – depending on the data rate requirements of a mission.
Prime Location & Outstanding Performance
At 64.85 degrees latitude north, ASF is in a prime location to link to satellites in high-inclination, polar orbits. Three antennas are located on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, which provides high-level infrastructure support. The fourth antenna is located 16 miles away at a second, continuously monitored ASF ground facility.
ASF has provided NASA with a high standard of satellite ground support since 1991, when the first data downlink was received. ASF provides 24/7 engineering staffing and support and maintains a 99.1% or higher proficiency rating as required by the NSN.
The NSN Antennas at ASF
AS1 - 11.28m aperture antenna
- Operational: 1995
- Command uplink capable
- Fully automated pass support capability
- Latitude: 64.858712150
Longitude: -147.857595161
WGS 84_G1674 - Elevation at feed 205m MSL
- S-Band feed at prime focus
- X-Band feed at Cassegrain focus
- 3860 antenna controller
- 3316 three-axis pedestal with 7 deg train axis
AS2 - 9.1m aperture antenna
- Operational: Original 1991; replacement 2017
- Fully automated pass support capability
- S-Band uplink; S-Band and X-Band downlink
- Latitude: 64.859460942
Longitude: -147.849742331
WGS 84_G1674 - Elevation at feed 231m MSL
- S-Band feed at prime focus
- X-Band feed at Cassegrain focus
- 3440 three-axis pedestal with 7 deg tilt axis
- AC4100 antenna controller
AS3 - 11m aperture antenna
- Operational: 2013
- Command uplink capable
- Fully automated pass support capability
- Latitude: 64.858875394
Longitude: -147.854115119
WGS 84_G1674 - Elevation at feed: 204m MSL
- S-Band feed at prime focus
- X-Band feed at Cassegrain focus
- 8400 three-axis pedestal with 7 deg third axis
- L-3 Datron antenna control assembly
AS4 - 11m aperture antenna
- Operational: May 2022
- Command uplink capable
- Fully automated pass support capability
- Latitude: N 64-47-42.01876 (dms)
Longitude: W 147-32-17.91390 (dms)
WGS84 (G1762) (Epoch 2021.000) - Elevation at feed 161.94 meters MSL
- S-Band feed at prime focus
- X and Ka-Band feed at Cassegrain focus
- AC4100 antenna controller
- 3440 three-axis pedestal with 7 deg train axis