Platform design and technologies for future gravity missions

Albert Zaglauer, Dr. Andreas Rathke, Trond Dagfin Krovel
Astrium GmbH, Friedrichshafen, Germany

Astrium GmbH was responsible for the satellite platform design and development utilized for the gravity missions CHAMP, GRACE and GOCE. All three platforms are still operational in orbit and represent more than 16 years of mission lifetime. As Astrium engineers are still involved in mission support concerning platform aspects and as Astrium is involved in lesson learned processes with the users a wealth of knowledge exists, allowing to support future mission designs.

The feed back by the scientific users is analyzed and translated into requirements and design guidelines down to platform equipment level. Computer models are established allowing parametric study on improvement potential with respect to performance parameters.

The key areas of improvement are identified in the field of AOCS design allowing a "smoother" flight and in the field of structural, thermal hardware reducing "seismic" effects on scientific accelerometer instruments.