The current ground station consists of the following components:

• Motor-generator with 18 kW nominal power;

• drum, synchronous belt, gearbox;

• spindle motor with gearbox and worm drive;

• pulleys, force sensor;

• control system;

• electrical power system;

• 20 kWh LiFePO4 battery.

Technical data:

• up to 8 m/s reel-out and reel-in speed

• nominal force of 3924 N

• max. cable length: 1000 m

• inverter with 240V AC power output

It has different modes of operation, for example constant reel-out speed, constant reel-in speed, constant reel-out force. If the wind is strong, constant reel-out force mode with a nominal force of about 85% of the maximal force is used. If there is a gust, the winch reels out faster, to keep the force under the maximal allowed limit.