A high agile satellite platform for Earth Observation – performance description using new generation missions

Paper number

IAC-06-B5.4.03

Author

Mr. Boris Penné, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Carsten Tobehn, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Martin Kassebom, OHB-System AG, Germany

Coauthor

Mr. Bent Ziegler, OHB-System AG, Germany

Year

2006

Abstract

Earth observation (EO) missions require proven platform technology featuring:
High attitude knowledge,
- Fast attitude manoeuvres,
- High data rate and volume capacity,
- Secured spacecraft communication
- A reliable redundant design for at least 5 to 10 years mission lifetime,
- At reasonable cost.
OHB-System and its partners have developed the SAR-Lupe satellite for high resolution SAR imaging for reconnaissance purposes. Based on this heritage the next generation platform is designed. This platform provides a scaleable and modular satellite approach which can form the baseline for EO missions in the medium to very high resolution area for optical and microwave applications.
This paper presents the next generation platform core elements and its scaleable performance using actual planned new generation EO missions like the German hyperspectral EnMAP mission or the application for the EU/ESA GMES Sentinel missions. The philosophy of the next generation platform is not to provide a standard platform as a whole but to reuse as far as possible proven subsystems like the avionics or propulsion subsystem and to adapt (or scale) the performance by exchanging components like star sensors or adapting the structure elements. Using this philosophy the next generation platform can accommodate payloads in the range of 200 up to 500kg building a satellite in the range of 400 up to 1200kg.

Abstract document

IAC-06-B5.4.03.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-06-B5.4.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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