Reasons for satellite mission miniaturisation and its consequences》.pdf

Acta Astronouficn Vol. 43, Nos. 11-12. pp. 583-596. 1998 01999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Pergamon Printed in Grent Britain PII:SOO94-5765(99)00007-7 0094-5765/99 5 - see front matter REASONS FOR SATELLITE MISSION MINIATURISATION AND ITS CONSEQUENCES Rainer Sandau (CM2), Klaus BrieI DLR, Institut Gr Weltraumsensorik Rudower Chaussee 5, D- 12489 Berlin ABSTRACT There are at least two reasons for satellite missions miniaturisation: - Transition from Earth exploration to Earth watch with concentration on specific phenom- ena to be observed with optimised sensor systems, - Development of advanced technologies in many fields of engineering sciences. The miniaturisation is supported by high-end off-the-shelf technologies and instruments for quick and low-cost realion as well as by the extensive use of advanced technologies lcad- ing to increased mission performance but also to higher costs. The paper gives examples for mission design, space segment design, and instrument design, respectively. All the experiences and examples shown in this paper are mainly based on ac- tivities of the DLR - Institute of Space Sensor Technology. 01999 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved. 1 INTRODUCTION For Earth observation, th