Session
Technical Session XI: Mission Lessons II
Abstract
The manufacture of the NigeriaSat-2 spacecraft was completed in 2010, and was successfully launched in August 2011. This is a state-of-the-art small satellite Earth observation mission including several innovations not previously seen on small spacecraft, which will provide high duty cycle imaging of the Earth in high resolution. It will be used by the Nigerian government for mapping and to monitor a number of environmental issues within the country. The key requirements of this mission are to provide high volume mapping data, coupled with highly accurate image targeting and geolocation, and sufficient agility to enable a wide range of complex operational modes. This paper focuses on the challenges associated with designing a spacecraft system that can meet these requirements on a satellite with a mass of less than 270kg. The paper will describe how the stereo, mosaic and other imaging modes can be employed using the agility of the spacecraft. Inertia calibration and on-board navigation techniques used to give the required targeting accuracy are discussed, and the interaction between the attitude control system and the mechanical design is detailed. The payload isolation system used to ensure image quality and geolocation performance is also described. An overview of the final test and launch campaign, and first in-orbit results from the satellite commissioning are provided.
Presentation Slides
Commissioning of the NigeriaSat-2 High Resolution Imaging Mission
The manufacture of the NigeriaSat-2 spacecraft was completed in 2010, and was successfully launched in August 2011. This is a state-of-the-art small satellite Earth observation mission including several innovations not previously seen on small spacecraft, which will provide high duty cycle imaging of the Earth in high resolution. It will be used by the Nigerian government for mapping and to monitor a number of environmental issues within the country. The key requirements of this mission are to provide high volume mapping data, coupled with highly accurate image targeting and geolocation, and sufficient agility to enable a wide range of complex operational modes. This paper focuses on the challenges associated with designing a spacecraft system that can meet these requirements on a satellite with a mass of less than 270kg. The paper will describe how the stereo, mosaic and other imaging modes can be employed using the agility of the spacecraft. Inertia calibration and on-board navigation techniques used to give the required targeting accuracy are discussed, and the interaction between the attitude control system and the mechanical design is detailed. The payload isolation system used to ensure image quality and geolocation performance is also described. An overview of the final test and launch campaign, and first in-orbit results from the satellite commissioning are provided.
