Run, INTEGRAL, run! Low wheel speed operations for fuel savings

摘要

In early 2015, ESA's high energy astronomical observatory INTEGRAL (INTErnational Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory) performed a series of manoeuvres to enable the disposal of INTEGRAL via an uncontrolled re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere in 2029. These manoeuvres used approximately half of INTEGRAL'S remaining fuel. At the current rate of consumption, fuel would be exhausted by early 2020 already and thus probably be the satellite's lifetime limiting element Following these manoeuvres, different ways to reduce propellant usage were investigated. This paper summarises the general concepts of various fuel saving options. Indications suggest that it is possible to achieve major propellant savings in the coining years at very low implementation costs. This could allow ESA to extend INTEGRAL'S science operations phase considerably and thus provide the high energy astronomical community with a solid observatory well into the next decade. Furthermore, it could possibly even allow for a controlled re-entry in 2029 with some residual propellant available for a trim manoeuvre in the mid to late 2020ies. Such a manoeuvre would enable ESA to fine-tune the re-entry longitude, position and profile.