Gatr Trac terminal. Photo: Gatr Technologies.

Cubic Corporation subsidiary Gatr Technologies has unveiled the Gatr Trac, a portable 2.4-meter satellite tracking imaging ground station. According to Gatr, the terminal provides a more than 90 percent reduction in logistical size and weight without sacrificing performance, compared to rigid tracking antennas of similar aperture.

Gatr Trac is a cost-effective method for downloading real-time satellite imagery in forward deployed situations, Gatr stated. Its portability makes it ideal for on-demand and on-site satellite imagery applications, such as tactical Department of Defense (DOD) applications. Gatr Trac has successfully downloaded imagery from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites including: Spot 6 and 7; Pleiades 1A and 1B; Eros A and B; TerraSar X; TanDem X; RadarSat 2; and Worldview 1 and 2. The mobile-direct receiving station allows for direct downlink from anywhere the antenna can be setup, giving faster access to satellite imagery and data for mission critical applications.

According to Gatr, in the current satcom industry, satellite imagery can take between 12 hours to several days to receive telemetry information in-hand. With Gatr Trac, it is possible to schedule a same-day satellite downlink and process data within 30 minutes after the satellite passes the terminal. In addition, transporting of the Gatr Trac antenna is less expensive than existing trailer-based antenna systems, which can result in savings of more than $250,000 per deployment, Gatr stated.

The Gatr Trac mobile antenna can be setup in less than 45 minutes and transported in four cases, each under 100 lbs.