Tracking S-Band Signal

[eifarra]

Hi,

I have a question about tracking a satellite. Let say if I want to track S-band signal. What's satellite can be used to track this S-band signal?

Is SPOT can be used to track the S-band signal? If yes, which one of SPOT can be used?

FYI, along my research, Spot 2, Spot 4 and Spot 5 can be used to track X-band Signal. I just wondering if these satellites can be used to track S-band signal.

Your attention and cooperation is highly appreciated.

Many Thanks

 

[Hermitman]

From what I've found, Spot satellites don't track x-band signals. They are satellites taking images of vegetation for research. The reference to x-band concerning the Spot satellites is that x-band is used to downlink stored images to receiving stations on the ground. As far as tracking s-band satellites, I don't know of any satellites tracking those type satellites (unless you have a friend working in the intel community). While s-band is sometimes used for data relay among satellites, I don't think there's any passive tracking going on. Here is a link to a page where folks have experimented in ground-based tracking of s-band satellites.

UHF-Satcom.com - S-band reception

If you really want to have some fun, find a multi-axis satellite dish and connect it to a receiver that uses the signal agc for dish movement. Then all you need is a down-converter from s-band to the 950-1600 range. Initially find the s-band signal and let the receiver track the satellite. Satellite location can be determined from actuator position sensors. Have fun.