Villafranca Station (also known as VILSPA[1]) was an ESTRACK satellite ground stationinSpain, 30 kilometres (19 mi) north from the city of Madrid in a Villanueva de la Cañada, within the area of European Space Astronomy Centre.[2]
Station currently operates 15m S-band antenna marked VIL-1 capable of automatic tracking, ranging, frequency and timing measurements, monitoring, control and two-way communications. Additional facilities provide tracking, telemetry, telecommand and radiometric measurements.[2]
In 2014 VIL-1 was upgraded to use SARAS (Spanish acronym for Fast Acquisition of Satellites and Launchers) system allowing easier estimation of the beam direction increasing tracking precision and accuracy.[3]
In 2012 first antenna of the Villafranca Station, built in 1974 and designated VIL-1, was passed to the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial and dedicated to the Cooperation through Education in Science and Astronomy Research (CESAR) project and currently is used as a radio telescope for educational purposes.[4]
In 2017 VIL-1 has been transferred to European industry [5]
40°26′33.23″N 3°57′5.70″W / 40.4425639°N 3.9515833°W / 40.4425639; -3.9515833
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