XMM Future Operational Ground Segment
Abstract
XMM-Newton has been operating for 14 years which have been characterised by an extraordinary scientific return leading to it being considered as one of the most important scientific missions operated by ESA. XMM-Newton has outlived its original operating lifetime and this has led to a new array of technical challenges which new software and operating strategies have greatly mitigated and have enabled XMM-Newton to continue to perform optimally. XMM-Newton relies on reaction wheels and thrusters to manoeuvre consuming on -board fuel and limiting XMM-Newtons operating life. As a result a new operating concept for the reaction wheels has been devised and reduces the fuel consumption by approximately 50% potentially allowing XMM-Newton to operate until 2028. This extension leads to a new set of challenges; firstly, a change in the orbital inclination causes XMM-Newtons ground station Kourou to develop a gap in coverage around perigee for a period of 5 years from mid-2014 and secondly, XMM-Newtons second prime ground station, Perth, is to be decommissioned at the end of 2015 due to regulation governing civil spectrum usage. This paper illustrates how these issues are resoled from a ground segment perspective and when implemented will ensure XMM-Newtons continuance into the next decade.
- Publication:
-
The X-ray Universe 2014
- Pub Date:
- July 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014xru..confE.251F