Electrical Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) are tools that are used by satellites & engineers on the ground to test and validate the integral electrical functions of a satellite or a spacecraft before launch. EGSE consists of hardware as well as software elements that are used to conduct tests of the satellite to ensure compatibility of all electrical components with the satellite.

An EGSE system consists of three primary subsystems. They are listed below:

On Board Interfaces: A satellite consists of various systems onboard to make it function efficiently such as power, data handling, communications & onboard computers. These onboard interfaces differ with respect to physical, electrical, and intended prototype levels. Hence, engineers need to validate and inspect these parameters during the development & validation phase before the launch of a satellite.

RF Interfaces: Testing a satellite or a spacecraft’s RF interfaces is a vital stage of spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing pre-launch.  The spacecraft or a satellite’s RF interface are connected to an RF SCOE (Special Check out Equipment) utilizing a fixed cabled connection which includes a modulator/demodulator on the RF SCOE that allows direct control for monitoring the spacecraft. RF interfaces provide telemetry, & also perform fully automated S-, X-, Ku- and Ka-band measurements in the TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking & Command) during testing at a given test facility.

Software: To control all EGSE systems and view their test results, the software is used. The software allows the operators/Engineers to have control over a unit undergoing test by running automated test scripts to speed up testing, monitor real-time status, perform data processing of recorded or simulated data and visualize it in several different methods.