a software tool to aid in celestial source viewing by astrosat spacecraft
- Paper number
IAC-10.A3.4.6
- Author
Mrs. NAGAMANI THANGAVEL, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), India
- Coauthor
Mr. Nitin Bhardwaj, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), India
- Coauthor
Mrs. Bannihatti Parameshwarappa Dakshayani, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), India
- Coauthor
Dr. Pandiyan Ramalingam, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), India
- Coauthor
Mrs. T.K. Anuradha, ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC), India
- Year
2010
- Abstract
ASTROSAT is an Indian ASTROnomy SATellite with instruments having capability of observing celestial objects in multi-wavelength will be launched in 2011 into circular orbit with 8deg inclination by PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle). ASTROSAT carries 5 payloads: (i) Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) which operates in three wavelengths namely Far Ultra-Violet, Near Ultra-Violet and Visible bands, (ii) Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT), (iii) Large Area X-ray Proportional Counters (LAXPC) having total area of 6400 sq cm, (iv) Cadmium Zinc Telluride Imager (CZTI) and (v) Scanning Sky Monitor (SSM). All these sensitive payloads have a set of constraints that have to be met while observing celestial objects such as the included angle by the Instrument axis with Sun, velocity vector and brighter Earth limb should be greater than or equal to 45, 12 and 20 degrees respectively. In ASTROSAT, the Sun constraint of the instruments as well as the star sensors during observation is met using a pre-conceived definition of the spacecraft axes and suitably selected season. In order to plan and use ASTROSAT by Guest Observers (GO), a Software Tool has been developed which considers all the constraints of the instruments along with spacecraft constraints, available on Indian Space Science Data Centre (ISSDC) web page. A facility is provided for GO to use the software tool on his computer by copying the executable through FTP. The tool is capable of predicting the view periods for a given celestial source for a prolonged period of one year. Also, the view periods are provided orbit-wise so that the GO can plan their observations more accurately and season-wise. The Tool has been designed to use the latest orbit information available on a daily basis at ISSDC server and provides the various constraint angle characteristics in graphical plots so that GO can visualize the situation while planning for observations. Also, the tool has the flexibility to use NORAD two line elements as orbit information required for the execution of the software.The view periods stored orbit wise is made available in tabular form for the GO to use. A Graphical User Interface program is scheduling the entire core module and allows the user to interact remotely and obtain the required details. Additional information like Eclipse and occult Entry/Exit is also made available
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-10.A3.4.6.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.