SMART-1 Operations
- Paper number
IAC-05-B5.3./B5.5.10
- Author
Eng. Daniel Gestal, LSE Space Engineering and Operations AG, Germany
- Year
2005
- Abstract
The SMART-1 spacecraft is the first of the European Space Agency’s Small Missions for Advanced Research and Technology. SMART-1’s primary mission goal is to demonstrate Solar Electric Propulsion orbit raising from GTO to the Moon. SMART-1 was launched in September 2003, as an auxiliary passenger by Ariane 5. After separation from the launch vehicle, the European Space Operations Centre assumed control of the spacecraft, preparing then initiating the orbit raising phase. SMART1 has been orbit raising for a period of seventeen months. This paper presents a summary of the operational experience to date, with particular emphasis on the Operation of the Electrical Propulsion Subsystem, Ground Segment and Operations concept and the cost-effective approaches and choices made for Smart-1. The various mission phases already executed are described. Nominal operational tasks are explained along with the impact and recovery of non-nominal events. The operational of new technologies and lessons learnt are also discussed. I. Planned Content (TBC) 1) Introduce the SMART1 mission and spacecraft with appropriate references for more detail 2) Introduce ESOC and the operational concept for SMART1. a. All ground facilities are based on extensions of existing infrastructure. b. The number of ground stations, the duration of the station passes, the choice of specific antennae were chosen to minimize the overall cost of investment and operations. c. All monitoring and control activities were optimized to cope with non-real time operations (nominally 1 pass every three/four days lasting 8 hours, engineering support only during working days). 3) Describe the LEOP and routine activities with some emphasis on the EP and AOCS subsystems, as well as new technologies on-board and their impact in the routine operations. 4) Pros and contras in some of the choices made for Smart-1 together with the developments and the solutions implemented to mitigate the problems found during the mission: a. Impact of on-board problems on operations b. Ground Segment automation c. Keeping the mission control team reduced d. The increased importance of the Mission Planning System e. Fast distribution of spacecraft data through internet for anomaly identification and analysis 5) Summary of lessons learnt.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-05-B5.3._B5.5.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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