Hitchhiking to the Moon: The European Student Moon Orbiter Mission
- Paper number
IAC-11,B4,8,4,x11244
- Author
Dr. Susan Jason, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Kevin Hall, SSTL, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Benjamin S Schwarz, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Mr. Adam White, University of Southampton, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Dr. Roger Walker, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mrs. Christiane Muller, European Space Agency (ESA), The Netherlands
- Coauthor
Mr. Doug Liddle, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, United Kingdom
- Coauthor
Prof. Martin Sweeting, Surrey Space Centre, United Kingdom
- Year
2011
- Abstract
The European Student Moon Orbiter (ESMO) is planned to be the first European student mission to the Moon. Building upon the successful approach pioneered by ESA's Education Office, this mission aims to bring together European universities to design, manufacture and operate a lunar orbiter mission. Following a competitive tendering process Surrey Satellite Technology has been selected as the industrial prime contractor for this mission. SSTL also acts as an industrial mentor to the Network of Universities involved in the programme. The ESMO project aims to attract, train and qualify the next generation of engineers and scientists for implementing the challenging missions of the European Space Agency by providing valuable hands-on experience on a relevant and demanding project. There are over 20 universities from 10 countries involved in the programme bringing in a range of undergraduate and post graduate students supported by professional academic staff at each university. The project preliminary definition phase started in October 2009, system requirements and definition reviews have been held and the team is working towards Preliminary Design Review in April 2011. ESMO mini-satellite is designed to be launched into Geostationary Transfer Orbit as a secondary payload in 2014. It requires on-board propulsion to transfer the spacecraft from its initial orbit into its operational lunar orbit where it will be used to perform scientific, technology demonstration and outreach activities. With a piggy back launch to GTO, the use of flight spare hardware and donated kit from a range of project sponsors, ESMO is a true hitchhiker mission to the moon. This paper describes the ESMO mission profile, system design and baseline payloads. It outlines the programmatic approach to this mission and concludes with a summary of the ESMO project status, the technical challenges being faced due to the combination of donated technologies and hitchhiking requirements, and the opportunities offered via this inspirational mission.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-11,B4,8,4,x11244.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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