Future Science Missions & Events

Status update
Oct-2011

The three satellites are in the IABG test facility in Munich, completing final delivery tests. The first satellite completed thermal vacuum and vibration tests and is ready for the magnetic characterisation, mass properties and stack tests. The second satellite completed its suite of environmental tests, including magnetic characterisation in the magnetic chamber, and is ready for the stack test with the launcher adaptor (acoustic, fit check and shock). The Electrical Field Instrument FM2 acceptance testing has been completed, demonstrating the correct implementation of the interfaces, and it is being shipped to Friedrichshafen for mounting on the second satellite. The third satellite is being prepared for the mechanical tests.

Ground segment preparation activities are proceeding according to plan. Khrunichev's recovery actions on the Rockot launcher are expected to be complete by November.

ESA Bulletin 148

Testing Sail Deployment
Mar-06-2011

The first full scale deployment of the Planetary Society's LightSail-1 solar sail was conducted on March 4, 2011 at Stellar Exploration in San Luis Obispo, California. Read more.

Status update
Oct-2011

All flight mirrors have been integrated on the Payload Module, and the two telescopes are being aligned to match the two 35 m focal lengths with a difference of less than 3 mm, while still keeping the wavefront errors minimal. Once in orbit, a focusing mechanism will be used for both telescopes to compensate for variation due to thermal effects, lack of gravity and settling after launch.

On the Focal Plane Assembly Flight Model, all 106 flight CCDs, their front-end electronics and the power distribution and command electronics have been integrated. The two prisms that generate the spectra centred in the blue and red optical bands have been mounted and aligned on the structure facing the focal plane. The Radial Velocity Spectrometer optics are aligned and optical tests are ongoing in preparation for the environmental test campaign. The Basic Angle Monitor system (which will measure the variation of the two telescopes' lines of sight) has been aligned and the environmental test campaign has started.

The mechanical qualification tests will take place at Intespace before the end of the year. The PFM#1 configuration that will be tested foresees the Service Module Flight Model, the Payload Module dummy inside the Thermal Tent Flight Model and the Deployable Sun Shield Flight Model. The latter was delivered in September to Astrium SAS by Sener after two deployment tests under ambient conditions.

The third System Validation Test, in which ESOC controls the spacecraft, is planned to start by the end of November. It will validate additional flight operation procedures on the spacecraft Avionics Model.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

The first laser transmitter Flight Model integration is close to completion. Excellent performance has been achieved in ambient conditions and the long-term vacuum test will be completed in 2011. The transmitting and receiving optics unit is being refurbished with four new optical assemblies, to secure its resilience to laser-induced damage and contamination.

Integration of the in situ cleaning subsystem Flight Model will begin imminently, with most equipment undergoing final acceptance testing. The Oxygen Safety Board has confirmed the design and declared materials to be safe for high-pressure oxygen operations.

The satellite and instrument contractors have agreed to a combined test sequence to optimise the total assembly, integration and test duration, and a consolidated schedule has been established.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

Environmental tests of the LISA Pathfinder FM in launch configuration continued in IABG, Ottobrunn. The propulsion module Flight Model was mated with the Science Module (SCM) Structural Model, and submitted to Vega compatibility shock testing, to simulate the shock at separation of the launcher fairing. The results are being analysed. The SCM FM was integrated with all the LISA Technology Package (LTP) Flight Model units for the electromagnetic compatibility test in September. After this the SCM was prepared for the On-Station Thermal Vacuum test. Only the Flight Models of the micro-propulsion thrusters and the LTP Core Assembly (LCA) are missing in these tests. The LCA is replaced by a thermo-optical simulator capable of performing an interferometry measurement during the thermal vacuum test, which would not be possible with the LCA Flight Model.

Functional verification of the spacecraft is continuing in parallel.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

The Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) Structural/Thermal Model was delivered to ESTEC for environmental testing. A major milestone was completion of the MPO thermal balance test at high solar intensity in ESTEC's Large Space Simulator, as this is critical for BepiColombo. Initial results confirm good performance of the radiator and the high-temperature multi-layer insulation. The new blanket configuration (improved since the sunshield test last year) performed as expected.

The Mercury Transfer Module Structural/Thermal Model completed propulsion systems leak tests before shipment to ESTEC. A number of equipment-level Critical Design Reviews were conducted in this period and more will be conducted during the coming months, clearing the way to begin manufacture of flight hardware. Manufacture of the MPO flight structure is nearing completion.

Meanwhile, nine of eleven MPO instrument Engineering Models completed pre-integration to the Engineering Test Bed (ETB) at Astrium, Friedrichshafen. During the summer, the Integrated System Tests were defined supported by ESAC, and eight instruments were tested on the ETB. While the MIXS and SIXS Engineering Models are still undergoing instrument-level testing in preparation for delivery, and the MORE instrument Ka-band transponder has been integrated and tested with the spacecraft communication subsystem on the RF mock-up in Turin. Five MPO instrument CDRs were conducted and the remaining six are scheduled for autumn 2011.

JAXA is preparing to deliver their Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO) Structural Model to ESTEC in early November. This will become part of the STM Mercury Composite Spacecraft for mechanical qualification. The MMO Flight Model mechanical- and electrical-interface checks are ongoing at JAXA.

The contract for Ariane 5 launch services was negotiated and signed mid-September. The ground segment completed the Mission Control System PDR. Launch is planned for the Mercury launch opportunity in mid-2014.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

Activities are still on hold; the CNES decision is now expected by the end of 2011.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

The project is presently entering into Phase-C/D and the detailed design of all spacecraft elements is proceeding according to the post-PDR configuration. Selection of the subcontractors for the spacecraft subsystems is nearing completion.

The development of ATLID is progressing and good performance results have been achieved with the ATLID transmitter breadboard, in particular with a higher than specified efficiency of its harmonic stage (UV). Meanwhile, the Preliminary Design Review of the transmitter proper has been initiated as planned.

The Multi-Spectra Imager Structural Model mechanical test campaign has been completed without major issues. Significant progress has been achieved on the instrument detectors with the delivery of the first FM Short Wave Infrared (SWIR-1) detectors, and the ongoing qualification tests of Visible, Near Infrared and SWIR-2 detectors.

Development of the Broad-Band Radiometer is proceeding satisfactorily and the first fully representative microbolometer detectors have been delivered for the qualification campaign. A representative model of the instrument mechanism is undergoing a life test and has already achieved 10% of the foreseen cycles.

In Japan, JAXA and its industrial consortium are progressing the Cloud Profiling Radar (CPR) subsystems towards Critical Design Review. The CPR Structural Model mechanical tests will resume in the last quarter of 2011.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Oct-2011

Work continued on the baseline mission including the Trace Gas Orbiter and Entry, Descent and Landing Demonstrator Module (EDM) to be launched in 2016, as well as study work on the joint rover to be launched in 2018. The work was supported by a Preliminary Authorisation to Proceed issued by ESA for July to September inclusive. This funding is sufficient to maintain progress on launch-critical subsystems.

The main issue restricting approval for a full Phase-C/D implementation is a delay to a written NASA commitment to the ExoMars programme. NASA is facing budget reviews, and announced a wish to pool all the ESA contributions into a single mission to be launched in 2018, in order to reduce overall mission costs for the cooperation. A joint ESA–NASA study was performed on this scenario, whereby ESA would provide a Data Relay Carrier/Orbiter as well as a contribution to the joint rover, while NASA would provide the other elements as heritage from their Mars Science Laboratory wherever possible. After a month-long study, the feasibility of this approach was discussed and the risks evaluated, and it was then decided not to pursue it further.

An alternative approach for implementation of the full programme was initiated in September at the IAF in South Africa. Russia declared itself open to entering discussions with ESA and NASA to join the ExoMars programme, with the idea of participating with mission elements while ESA seeks to acquire a Proton launcher for the 2016 mission. Discussions with Russia will start shortly, with the objective of establishing a framework for cooperation by the end of January 2012.

Study activities for the 2018 mission were slowing down in this period due to the NASA need to study alternative scenarios. Nevertheless, basic agreements for sharing the joint rover and responsibilities for the 2018 mission have been formulated. Furthermore, the ESA requirement to have a European computer on the rover has hardened and NASA has agreed to this, pending a joint review to ensure that the computer can perform all the functions of the mission from launch to cruise phase, entry and landing, and finally rover surface operations. The final architecture for the joint rover will be fixed within the first quarter of 2012 at a Mission Concept Review.

In the domain of payload development, work has continued on the TGO instruments and the EDM surface payload called DREAMS. Furthermore, a camera and entry sensors have been identified and will be provided to industry for integration in the EDM as customer-furnished items. Work continues to support accommodation of the instruments of the Pasteur payload within the new structure of the 2018 single, joint rover mission.

ESA Bulletin 148

Status update
Apr-2011

See 'ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter and EDL Demonstrator' entry.