Session
Technical Session IV: The Year in Retrospect
Abstract
TopSat is designed to demonstrate the capabilities of low cost small satellites for high resolution and high image quality optical sensing missions. TopSat has a mass of 108 kg and is designed to provide 2.5 m resolution imagery from a 600 km altitude direct to users near the imaged area. Launch is currently planned for August 2005, and the satellite will be placed into a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite is capable of high resolution despite its small size as a result of a novel camera design and an agile and accurate spacecraft attitude control system. These features are described along with the management and programmatic aspects of the mission which assure performance while minimising cost. The TopSat mission is a collaboration between four UK partners with widely differing heritage. The novel approaches adopted relating to the use of standards and standard methodologies across a disparate consortium have been important in achieving the dramatically low cost mission. These are described from the Lead Partner Perspective. QinetiQ leads the mission, will operate the satellite and is providing on-board data handling and ground segment elements. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) has developed the camera, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is providing the platform, and Infoterra Ltd is responsible for developing potential commercial data markets. The programme is supported by the UK government.
Presentation Slides
TopSat – High Resolution Imaging from a Low Cost Satellite
TopSat is designed to demonstrate the capabilities of low cost small satellites for high resolution and high image quality optical sensing missions. TopSat has a mass of 108 kg and is designed to provide 2.5 m resolution imagery from a 600 km altitude direct to users near the imaged area. Launch is currently planned for August 2005, and the satellite will be placed into a sun-synchronous orbit. The satellite is capable of high resolution despite its small size as a result of a novel camera design and an agile and accurate spacecraft attitude control system. These features are described along with the management and programmatic aspects of the mission which assure performance while minimising cost. The TopSat mission is a collaboration between four UK partners with widely differing heritage. The novel approaches adopted relating to the use of standards and standard methodologies across a disparate consortium have been important in achieving the dramatically low cost mission. These are described from the Lead Partner Perspective. QinetiQ leads the mission, will operate the satellite and is providing on-board data handling and ground segment elements. Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) has developed the camera, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) is providing the platform, and Infoterra Ltd is responsible for developing potential commercial data markets. The programme is supported by the UK government.
