XMM-Newton, the largest European science spacecraft ever built, detects X-rays created by supernovas, black holes, neutron stars, and other deep space objects. Integral can simultaneously detect X-rays, gamma-rays and visible light, creating a unique platform for studying objects such as supernovas - it is the most advanced gamma-ray observatory ever launched.
SciSys' Flight Dynamics team has been working on the XMM-Newton and Integral missions since 1997 (XMM was launched in 1999, and Integral in 2002). The Flight Dynamics system development for the two missions has taken place concurrently since the start, and the two spacecraft share many characteristics, in particular with regard to their Attitude and Orbit Control Systems (AOCS).
SciSys' Flight Dynamics team have supported both the XMM-Newton and Integral missions through the subsequent Launch and Early Orbit Phases (LEOP), commissioning, performance verification, and routine operational phases. SciSys carries out this work at the European Space Operations Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany.
The team carry out:
- Mission planning
- Attitude pipeline product generation used by the scientific centres
- Special calibration operations planning and execution
- On-call support around the clock
- Target of opportunity support
- Operational ground Flight Dynamics software maintenance
- On-going studies to maximise scientific return
© ESA.Illustration by the Integral team and
ESA/ECF (click to enlarge)
