MAJOR EVOLUTIONS BY THE TURN OF THE CENTURY INSIDE A WHOLE FAMIL Y OF PLATFORMS FROM LITTLE LEO TO BIG LEO

摘要

Major changes were observed during the last 5 years in Space Systems, leading sometimes to new concepts, to significant reorientation of programmes or to redirection of products or technologies plans Understanding the rationale behind those changes is a way to anticipate further evolutions during the next years and to prepare for them. The cases of Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites are of particular interest for such analysis, because they clearly exhibit different trends. As an answer to the future diversity of needs, MMS currently develops or extends a whole family of multimission platforms from microsatellites to big LEO or GEO satellites. They are shortly presented here together with some key technologies which will support the increasing demand for satellite networking and satellite mobility. The development of powerful engineering tools is also a key for the evolution of space practices towards higher efficiency, less risk, less cost and shorter duration. Some applications of such tools are illustrated.