In-orbit storage of SPOT 1 satellite
Abstract
SPOT sun-synchronous remote sensing satellites have been operated by CNES since February 1986. Today, the SPOT mission and control center operates SPOT 1, SPOT 2 and SPOT 3. The eight-year-old SPOT 1 satellite is still able to transmit in real time the images acquired. In 1992, CNES decided to store it in orbit as a back-up satellite in case of major failure on SPOT 2 or SPOT 3. The storage is based on an entire in-orbit autonomy of the satellite for orbit and attitude control, and a reduced use of ground equipment. With two visibilities per day, used only for telemetry monitoring and orbit computation, the ground control workload decreases to a low cost operation. Obviously, in case of satellite anomaly, the mission and control center can be reactivated in order to repair the failure.
- Publication:
-
Revista Brasileira de Ciencias Mecanicas
- Pub Date:
- 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994RBrCM..16..426P
- Keywords:
-
- Mission Planning;
- Satellite Control;
- Satellite Tracking;
- Spot (French Satellite);
- French Space Program;
- Scheduling;
- Spacecraft Maneuvers;
- Stationkeeping;
- Space Communications, Spacecraft Communications, Command and Tracking