Advanced RF Systems for ESA Deep Space Missions

The European Space Agency has developed and operated several deep space missions throughout the last 25 years. The drastic change in technology throughout the years and a continuous demand for higher scientific data volumes and data return pose some telecommunications challenges on the RF systems for interplanetary spacecraft and ground stations. After a brief overview of ESA deep space missions this paper outlines the advances in RF systems on ESA interplanetary spacecraft and deep space ground stations. Furthermore the paper gives an introduction in the applications of RF systems and an outlook into possible future expansions at ground station level.