| LISA Pathfinder |
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document.write(' Following the success of the first European probe SMART-1 (Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology), the European Space Agency (ESA) is already preparing number 2 of the series of small satellites planned in order to test new space technologies destined for future scientific missions to distant planets of the Universe. \nIt is, once again, SPACEBEL that will conceive and develop the on-board software of this new European SMART-2 probe named « LISA Pathfinder ». \nTo be launched in 2009, the small space vehicle will have to experiment innovative equipment and technologies, which will be implemented in the frame of the LISA mission. \nLISA (Laser Interferometer Space Antenna) aims at improving our knowledge of the Universe: it will show whether Einstein’s theory about the existence of gravitational waves in Space is correct. The LISA project will rely upon extremely sophisticated technologies that cannot be properly verified on the ground because the Earth’s gravity and environment would affect the test results. \nIn order to validate these revolutionary concepts and reduce any risk that the ambitious LISA mission would fail, ESA has decided to use LISA Pathfinder by way of a guinea-pig. '); document.write(' |
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| Pléiades |
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document.write(' Based upon two photograph satellites, the Pléiades programme is part of the Earth Observation policy of the French Space Agency CNES (Centre National d\'Etudes Spatiales). Weighing 1000 kg, they are planned for an operational lifetime of 5 years. The system is dual: it will satisfy the needs of both civil and military users. The first optical satellite will be launched from the Guyanese Space Center in 2008, followed by the second one in 2009. Both spacecrafts will scrutinize our planet in order to gather images and thus information useful for agriculture, territory planning, natural disaster management … They will also provide data on population movements as well as on the topography of conflict areas. By their size, their image resolution, their high agility in orbit and their capacity of retransmission to the ground, the Pléiades satellites represent a significant technological progress to which SPACEBEL is proud to bring its contribution. \nSPACEBEL is in charge of the design and development of the satellite’s on-board software, intended for the control of both the platform and its scientific payloads. '); document.write(' |
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| PROBA-1 |
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document.write(' Spacebel has developed the flight software of the PROBA satellite as sub contractor of the Belgian Prime Verhaert. This micro-satellite was successfully launched on October 17th 2001. \nThe PROBA objectives are double: \n- On one hand, it aims to validate advanced technologies (new processors - ERC32, DSP -, new methodologies and instruments) capable to improve the competitive position of the European industry. The autonomy, PROBA\'s theme, effectively has imposed particular technological and competitive accent in the development, testing, operational and control of spaceship domains. \n- On the other hand and on the software side, PROBA has allowed the development of an on board generic software to control micro-satellite platforms. This software will be reused to allow low cost and efficient developments in future missions. Currently the DHS is already reused in the context of the Lunar SMART-1 mission. '); document.write('  http://www.verhaert.com/pdfs/PROBA% ...'); document.write(' '); document.write('  PROBAobs.pdf'); document.write(' dhs_data_sheet.pdf'); document.write(' |
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| PROBA-2 |
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document.write(' Offering increased miniaturisation and equipped with an ultra high performance processor, the PROBA-2 micro satellite will be a mini-observatory, weighing approximately 120 kg, destined for the study of the Sun. The launch is scheduled in the course of 2007. \nPROBA-2 has both technological and scientific objectives from the outset. As soon as the spacecraft is in orbit, the Royal Observatory of Belgium will be awaiting the scientific Sun observation data. \nSPACEBEL will implement the complete package of software developments related to this project: \no The control software of the satellite, which pilots the spacecraft; \no The control software of the scientific payloads, which pilots the scientific instruments (amongst others the SWAP instrument) on board of the vessel; \no The simulation software, which allows to simulate all functions of the on-board software and to check its good functioning before its departure into Space; \no The ground segment software situated at the control centre, which is responsible for the satellite\'s control, instruments data acquisition and their delivery to the scientists. '); document.write(' |
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| SMART-1 |
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document.write(' Launched on September 23rd 2003 from Kourou, SMART-1 was the first European spacecraft to travel to and orbit the Moon. The microsatellite crashed as planned onto the Moon on September 3rd 2006 after almost 2 years orbiting our natural satellite. Realized by the Swedish Space Agency and with control software developed by SPACEBEL, Europe\'s first lunar probe successfully accomplished its mission: demonstrate several innovative technologies (ionic propulsion, new space communication techniques, laser telecommunication). Thanks to SMART-1, the scientists could also establish a complete inventory of the key elements in the lunar surface. The data collected should enable us to better understand the formation process of the Moon and of its geological resources. \nThe strong timing constraints for the software development could only be met with the re-use of the SPACEBEL Data handling Software developed in the context of the PROBA-1 mission. The software was designed, coded and tested in 6 months. '); document.write(' http://www.ssc.se/ssd/smart1.html '); document.write(' '); document.write(' |
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