PROBA-2
Jump to: Mission Objectives, Mission Instrumentation, Mission Parameters, Additional Information
Mission Photos:
PROBA-1 (Courtesy of ESA)
Mission Objectives:
The Project for On-Board Autonomy (PROBA) is a series of technology demonstration missions of the European Space Agency. The first satellite in the series, PROBA-1, was successfully launched on 22 October 2001, initially for a two-year mission and now operational for five years. PROBA-2 is currently under development, with a planned launch in December 2007. PROBA-2 will continue ESA's validation of new spacecraft technologies while also carrying a scientific payload.
The objectives of PROBA are:
- In-orbit demonstration and evaluation of new hardware and software spacecraft technologies
- In-orbit demonstration and evaluation of onboard operational autonomy
- In-orbit trial and demonstration of Earth observation and space environment instruments
Mission Instrumentation:
PROBA-2 has the following spacecraft infrastructure technologies:
- New type of lithium-ion battery
- Advanced data and power management system, containing many new component technologies
- Combined carbon-fibre and aluminium structural panels
- New models of reaction wheels, star trackers and GPS receivers
- Upgraded telecommand system with a decoder largely implemented in software
PROBA-2 has the following scientific instruments:
- Solar observation instruments:
- Lyman-Alpha radiometer (LYRA)
- Sun Watcher using AP-sensors and image Processing (SWAP) experiment
- Plasma measurement instruments:
- Dual Segmented Langmuir Probes (DSLP)
- Thermal plasma measurement unit (TPMU)
- GPS receiver
- Laser retroreflector array
Mission Parameters:
| Sponsor: | ESA |
| Expected Life: | 2 years |
| Primary Applications: | Sun observations; technology demonstration |
| Primary SLR Applications: | Precision orbit determination |
| COSPAR ID: | 0905902 |
| SIC Code: | 8005 |
| Satellite Catalog (NORAD) Number: | 36037 |
| Launch Date: | 02-Nov-2009 |
| NP Bin Size: | 15 seconds |
| RRA Diameter: | 16 cm |
| RRA Shape: | hemispherical |
| Reflectors: | 7 corner cubes |
| Orbit: | Sun-synchronous dusk-dawn |
| Altitude (mean): | 757 km |
| Inclination: | 98.445 degrees |
| Eccentricity: | 0.00116-0.0025 |
| Weight: | 130 kg |
Additional Information:
Web sites:
Publications:
- "Precision spacecraft navigation using a low-cost GPS receiver", GPS Solutions, DOI 10.1007/s10291-011-0252-6
- "PROBA-2 Mission and New Technologies Overview", Small Satellite Systems and Services -- The 4S Symposium; 25-29 September 2006; Chia Laguna Sardinia, Italy (2006)
- Autonomous and Precise Navigation of the PROBA-2 Spacecraft
- Technical Information for PROBA-2 Laser Tracking Support
- Cryosat Retroreflector Technical Description
