COPERNICUS Sentinel-2A Flight Dynamics operational experience

摘要

The full SENTINEL-2 mission comprises twin polar-orbiting satellites following the same ground track, and phased at 180° to each other. The mission carries on board the Multi Spectral Instrument (MSI), intended to monitor variability in land surface conditions. Its wide swath width and high revisit time (10 days at the equator with one satellite, and 5 days with 2 satellites under cloud-free conditions which results in 2-3 days at mid-latitudes) will support monitoring of changes to vegetation within the growing season. The coverage ranges from 56° south to 84° north of latitude. This paper describes the operational aspects of the LEOP activities, Commissioning and early Routine Phase executed so far for the first satellite at the European Space Control Centre (ESOC) in Darmstadt, Germany, on behalf of the European Space Agency and European Commission. The paper highlights the achievements in the LEOP operations, orbit insertion and control, manoeuvre performance and automation of the Routine Operations.