Swarm Satellite Constellation

Paper number

IAC-05-B5.2.03

Author

Dr. Hendrik Lübberstedt, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Martin Kassebom, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Carsten Tobehn, OHB-System AG, Germany

Year

2005

Abstract

In order to provide the best survey ever of the geomagnetic field and its space-time characteristic, the Swarm satellite constellation shall consist of 3 spacecraft in near-polar low Earth orbits. Two satellites shall fly close together side-by-side and as low as possible. The third satellite shall fly about 80 km higher with a local time separation from the lower pair of up to 9 hours at the end of the 4-years Swarm mission. 
The Swarm scientific payload consisting of two magnetometers, an electric field instrument and an accelerometer put a set of specific requirements to the Swarm Satellite design. The key drivers are the attitude knowledge of the vector magnetometer and the magnetic cleanliness required at the magnetometer locations. 
The 3 satellites shall be started by a single small launcher and the constellation deployment will be performed by the spacecraft orbital control system. The local time separation will be implemented by an inclination difference between the upper satellite and the lower pair, which is one main driver of the required propellant. The second main driver is the orbit and constellation maintenance, which in turn is driven by the high atmospheric density experienced by the lower pair. Further the close constellation of the lower pair have to be controlled carefully to avoid collisions.
This paper presents the satellite system architecture and performance as well as the constellation deployment and maintenance strategy developed by OHB for Swarm. In particular the accommodation of the vector magnetometer by means of an innovative boom and optical bench design will considerably increase the single satellite performance of the magnetic measurements compared to any other previous or current mission. The 3 satellite constellation will drastically improve the single-satellite performance in terms of accuracy and spatial resolution.

Abstract document

IAC-05-B5.2.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-05-B5.2.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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