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Drone Detection Solution for Satellite Ground Station
Securing a satellite ground station is critical to ensuring the safe operation of satellite communication systems. Through our DIDIT Drone Threat Assessment, Telespazio Germany helped a European ground station provider protect their perimeter from the rising threat of unauthorised drone intrusions.
Customer's Challenge
Our client, a ground station operator for the EU's global satellite navigation system, experienced increased security risks from unauthorised drone activity, posing threats to data security and operational efficiency.
The satellite ground station faced multiple drone-related security issues. Drones were frequently flying over the site without permission, and their existing security cameras could not detect these fast-moving, small devices. This lack of visibility posed serious concerns, including potential data breaches, operational interruptions, and risks to both physical safety and the organisation’s reputation. The security team was also unsure of how to respond to a drone emergency and felt unprepared to manage the emerging risks associated with drone intrusions.
Our assessment process began with a series of consultations to understand the client's pain points and gather details about the satellite ground station. We then conducted a detailed site survey to determine optimal sensor placement for maximum coverage. Once the survey was completed, our team installed the sensors within one working day, ensuring minimal disruption to the client’s operations. We provided a comprehensive monitoring and assessment period of 14 weeks, later extended by one month to fully characterise the threat landscape.
RF Sensor
The solution was a fully automated, multi-sensor drone detection system that integrated seamlessly into the client’s existing security infrastructure. The key elements of the system included:
- Multi-Sensor Detection: Two radio sensors were deployed to enhance coverage, ensure redundancy, and accurately identify different types of drones (commercial, hobbyist, military) while analysing flight patterns.
- Drone and Pilot Detection: The system identified both drone and pilot locations with precise coordinates, offering a complete view of the potential threat.
- Fully Automated Monitoring: The system required no client intervention, allowing them to focus on their core operations while the solution continuously monitored for drone intrusions.
- Seamless Integration: Our solution integrated with the client's existing security infrastructure, providing a centralised interface for monitoring, managing, and logging all sensor data and detected threats.
The DIDIT assessment enabled the client to achieve 99% accuracy in identifying unauthorised drones, significantly improving their understanding of perimeter threats. Due to the significant presence of drones, particularly on Sundays and Mondays, the assessment period was extended to capture a full understanding of the threat. Key observations included peak activity during weekends, a heat map showing concentrated drone presence near sensitive areas, and drone flights lasting over 30 seconds. The results indicated potential risks from recreational misuse to commercial drone operations, and highlighted the critical need for further security measures near the control station.
Fig. 1 Drone Events
Fig. 2 Heat Map
Why Telespazio
With over six years of experience in drone protection and a heritage in the space industry, Telespazio Germany delivers innovative, reliable solutions to address evolving threats. Our expertise in critical infrastructure and mission-critical environments ensures our clients receive robust protection from unauthorised drone intrusions.