|
|
| Location: Home > Space Propulsion |
TerraSAR-X is the first satellite to be built in a Public Private Partnership in Germany. Here, the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Europe’s leading satellite system specialist Astrium have shared the cost of constructing and deploying the spacecraft. The scientific exploitation of TerraSAR-X data will be conducted by DLR, while Infoterra GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of EADS Astrium GmbH, is responsible for the commercial marketing. TerraSAR-X is a new generation, high resolution satellite operating in the X-band at 9.65 GHz that can operate independent of weather conditions, cloud coverage, and illumination and will be capable of delivering data at a resolution of up to 1 meter. The continuous stream of remote sensing data from TerraSAR-X will support numerous scientific and commercial applications. In Germany the TerraSAR-X Project is borne by a broad science community. The satellite will provide unique data, leading to new applications and methods in geosciences, as there are in the solid earth's physics. This includes the observation of minor tectonic shifting, in hydrology the modelling of catchment areas, in climatology the quantifying of global biomass and changes in oceanography, the ice coverage of the poles. The data/products of TerraSAR-X will also be used to support public interests and the performance of governmental tasks such as environmental monitoring (contribution to the EU's GMES-Programme), air traffic, mobile telecommunication services, regional planning (provision of large scale topographic maps) and civil protection support, with high resolution data. TerraSAR-X will operate for at least 5 years and will carry an active X-band instrument. Customarily, it is necessary to turn a satellite in order to obtain a different viewing angle. TerraSAR-X, however, has moving "eyes" that enables a scanning path to be swathed by active antenna. The extensive data streams will be transmitted to Earth via broadband technology. On 15th June 2007, the 1200 kg satellite was successfully launched from Baikonur, Kasachstan using a DNEPR-1 launcher placing TerraSAR-X into a 514-km polar orbit. As the Earth rotates below this orbit, the satellite will scan all regions of the Earth swath by swath. Priority observations of any site can be performed within three days. Just four days after launch, TerraSAR-X provided the first brilliant satellite images.
Reaction Control System
In designing the RCS, the major requirement was for the use of existing space qualified components to the greatest extent possible. This requirement was fulfilled by using components previously used on the GLOBALSTAR programme, thereby inheriting the reliability and low cost requirements.
Astrium Lampoldshausen responsibilities included:
The RCS comprises:
Modular Propulsion Systems Design The modular integration of spacecraft propulsion systems was pioneered at Astrium Lampoldshausen and provides the following advantages:
These advantages have been proven over again on numerous spacecraft. Pre-integration of the propulsion module at Lampoldshausen minimises direct access to the spacecraft to just a few days for final integration and test.
Contact for Further Information
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
