The operation was carried out by the Secondary Space Operations Center from December 6 to 8
Air Force Agency / COMAE
The Aerospace Operations Command (COMAE) carried out an operation to control the Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellite (SGDC) from the Secondary Space Operations Center (COPE-S), based in Rio de Janeiro (RJ). The operation took place from December 6 to 8 and was visited by the Commander of Aerospace Operations, Air Brigadier Hudson Costa Potiguara, to monitor the activity.
“The commitment and dedication of the COPE-S soldiers to maintaining availability and readiness in the event of a real need for the unannounced transfer of control of the satellite to this Secondary Center is visible,” said the General Officer.
The control and use of the SGDC is carried out by the Space Operations Center (COPE), based in Brasilia (DF), in conjunction with the company TELEBRAS, which provides a service of a strategic nature to Brazil, in addition to supplying broadband internet to 100% of the national territory, providing strategic communications in support of the Ministry of Defense (MD).
Due to the importance of this activity, COPE has a high level of reliability and redundancy in all its operational and critical infrastructure systems and, as a last resort, makes it possible to migrate the operation to COPE-S in the event of a collapse of the main system.
This transfer of control of the satellite between one center and another is called a Site Switch and is carried out whenever it is necessary to carry out periodic team training, equipment tests, preventive or corrective maintenance activities, as well as possible emergencies. On this occasion, training was also carried out to confirm that the equipment was working properly in the event of a real need.
During the Site Switch period, in addition to the training planned by COPE and TELEBRAS, the SGDC’s periodic orbital positioning maneuver was also carried out from the Secondary Space Operations Center (COPE-S) in Rio de Janeiro.
Photos: COMAE *** Translated by DEFCONPres FYI Team ***