Satellite Odin supports one discipline only to allow for additional autonomy on-board
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.3.2
- Author
Mr. Stefan Lundin, Swedish Space Corporation, Sweden
- Coauthor
Mr. Stig-Ove Silverlind, Swedish Space Corporation, Sweden
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The aeronomy and astronomy scientific mission Odin, a Swedish led project in cooperation with Canada, Finland and France, was designed for a lifetime of two years. As the satellite now is in its eighth year of operation, it has exceeded all original expectations. Also funding plans has become obsolete and new and more cost-effective ways of operations is therefore a necessity. Odin is since May 2007 a pure aeronomy research satellite as a long atmospheric measurement period is the most important argument for a continuation of the mission. Supporting only one discipline stabilises the on-board environment which together with the fixed geometry, pointing towards the earth’s limb, allows for more streamlined planning and increased autonomy. Satellite behaviour is since long well known with a fine tuned attitude control system, a well modelled power system, a very well working data handling system, clear signatures on the most common anomalies and experienced staff. Together, these facts made the eclipse season of 2007 one of the calmest ever and the satellite behaved more or less exactly as planned. Several adjustments in scheduling, execution and monitoring have allowed SSC to automate most of the regular operations and the satellite is now operated on an office hour basis only. Measurements are continued around the clock but new schedules or correcting commands are either transmitted on weekdays or automatically triggered by the ground system itself. A very important step for a prolonged life of Odin is the fact that ESA in May 2007 included the spacecraft in its Third Party Mission programme for Earth monitoring satellites. A consequence is that all aeronomy data collected since launch is made available for every registered user for the benefit of the whole aeronomy research society. Odin’s payload status is good and the platform has so far only lost one redundancy, in April 2007, when one of the reaction wheels stopped and had to be replaced. Keywords: Odin, aeronomy, cost-effective operations, increased autonomy in-orbit, Third Party Mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-08.B4.3.2.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.