Deployable telescope within shipping container

Hosted within a standard shipping container, this ESA Transportable Optical Ground Station, ETOGS, can be transported all across Europe as needed, to perform laser-based optical communications with satellites. Its 6-m long shipping container features a 80-cm diameter telescope on a lifting platform, as seen here, and a climate-controlled operator area on the other side.

Laser transmitters, receivers and other required equipment can be attached to this flexible structure to serve each specific campaign. Hauled by lorry, the station can be deployed wherever needed and powered via a mains attachment, diesel generator or a solar-powered battery assembly.