POINTING ERROR ENGINEERING FOR TELECOMMUNICATION MISSIONS (ARTES AT 4A.064)

Description

Objective: The objective is to develop software based on existing methodologoes to improve pointing error control

Targeted Improvements:

  • The expected benefits are a significant in the duration of the pointing error engineering process within the AOCS design anddevelopment cycles, as well as the improvement in theprocess of the robustness and reliability of the calculations. This also includes the exchange of information between the various entities during the design and development process of the AOCS system.
  • Improved performance of AOCS subsystems.

Description: Pointing error engineering for new telecommunication missions with high demands has become a complex and time consuming task: specifying performance and pointing knowledgerequirements or identifying and characterising the different error contributors is critical to the success of the mission.

ESA has developed a successful prototype tool for pointing error engineering called PEET (Pointing Error Engineering Tool). The tool implements the step-by-step process elaborated in the ESA Pointing Error Engineering Handbook ESSB-HB-E-003, Issue 1, 19 July 2011. PEET is necessary to process complex calculations for high accuracy pointing, to supportfrequency domain techniques introduced in the handbook, and to provide a common platform for exchange of information between the various entities during the design and development process of the AOCS system.

The proposed work logic is the following:

  • Review of lessons learnt from use of the PEET prototype and feedback from users for telecommunication missions.
  • Update of the software framework requirements for the new telecommunication missions.
  • Extension of modules to support high precisions missions (e.g. EDRS, NEOSAT, IAP, ELECTRA).
  • Based on the existing sensitivity analysis feature, implementation of a specific functionality for pointing requirement allocation (apportionment) for telecommunication missions.
  • Extension of the reportingfunctionality according to suggestions by future users.
  • Issuing online manual, tutorial and setting up a forum.

Tender Specifics