High Gain Antenna Gimbal (HGAG) for the rover Perseverance of the Mars 2020 mission

SENER Aeroespacial has designed, manufactured, tested and integrated the pointing mechanism for the high gain antenna (HGAG) of the Perseverance rover of NASA's Mars 2020 exploration mission.

The pointing mechanism has two degrees of freedom, azimuth and elevation, and is integrated on the rover platform, from where it can point the antenna precisely toward Earth. An actuator moves each axis independently to achieve the required velocity and accuracy. SENER Aeroespacial was also responsible for the hold down and release mechanism that provides a mechanical connection during launch and allows the subsequent operation of the antenna in Mars.

As on the previous NASA Mars mission —Mars Science Laboratory (MSL)—, SENER Aeroespacial has been responsible for the HGAG pointing mechanism in cooperation with Airbus Defence and Space, main contractor for the system that comprises the gimbal and the high gain antenna.