Envoy: A Versatile Standard Platform for Small Satellite Missions in the Evolving Satellite Industry Landscape
- Paper number
IAC-24,B4,9-GTS.5,6,x90061
- Author
Mr. Emile Jäger, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mrs. Ann-Theres Schulz, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Federico Falorni, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Jon Caudepon, OHB System AG-Bremen, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Martin Beet, OHB System AG, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. Sebastien Tailhades, OHB System, Germany
- Year
2024
- Abstract
The paper aims to present a detailed description of the Envoy standard platform within OHB System AG, offering a comprehensive overview of its development, system design process, technical description, business model, innovative features, and application. It outlines the landscape of standard platforms within the OHB group, introducing the Eos standard platform, which has been pivotal in ESA initiated Copernicus missions at OHB, and highlights lessons learned from the initial applications of Eos, particularly in CO2M. However, lessons learned from the initial applications of Eos, particularly in CO2M, underscored the trade-off between high reliability and cost, as well as the need of the development of Envoy to cover a mass range below the Eos platform. Envoy is OHB's response to the dynamic satellite business landscape, aiming to provide compatible solutions for both institutional and commercial applications, with a focus on off-the-shelf solutions for small satellite applications. The platform is designed for single satellite missions as well as small constellations extending the mission characteristics in terms of reliability and performance to a broader number of smaller satellites. The platform's design process addresses main challenges by applying OHB's broad experience from various missions to establish synergies across different use cases and applications. The business model behind Envoy emphasizes offering compatible solutions for future applications while maintaining a balance between engineering quality and cost-effectiveness. In the paper an overview of the platform's overall description will be included. This covers features such as centralized avionics, implementation of COTS components, process oriented tailored ECSS standards for cost reduction, and various configurations to address diverse applications, with a key emphasis on flexibility differentiating between a fixed and modular part of the platform. The paper will focus on Envoy’s innovative character which lies in its centralized avionics concept, digital interfaces, and software centric approach, enabling in-orbit autonomy and enabling easy part interchangeability, scalability while minimizing non-recurring efforts. The development of Envoy is influenced by the success of Eos and the growing demand for smaller satellites, with considerations revolving around mission risk, reliability, and performance characteristics. The first application of Envoy, in a commercial setting, highlights its potential attractiveness due to its competitive recurring price and engineering quality inherited from OHB's mission legacy. Overall, Envoy represents a significant step forward in OHB's standard platform offerings, able to meet the evolving needs of the satellite industry with its blend of reliability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)