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IABG qualifies CryoSat for an “ice-cold” mission

At the beginning of August 2004, the scientific satellite CryoSat built on behalf of EADS Astrium in Friedrichshafen arrived at IABG’s Space Test Centre (STC). Here the satellite will be subjected to an extensive range of tests planned for completion around the middle of February in order to qualify it environmentally.

In the first few days after its arrival, the so-called mass properties were ascertained, i.e. the exact metrological determination of the overall mass and the centre of gravity position of the satellite weighing around 700 kg and approx. 4.5 m in height. After this, a “shock-separation test“ in association with the Khrunichev Research Institute was successfully completed, in which the later separation of the satellite from the launcher was simulated. The environmental testing programme continues with a vibration test on IABG’s large (320 kN) shaker system, with measurements on the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), an acoustic test in the STC sound laboratory and a thermal test with solar simulation in the space simulation chamber, which has a diameter of 6.8m.

CryoSat represents the first mission within the “Living Planet” programme initiated by ESA in 1998, with the task of examining the earth’s cryosphere. This comprises all those areas which are covered with ice or snow, in particular the ice masses in the Artic and Antarctic. The aim of the mission, planned for at least three years, is to determine new findings on the effects of global warming on the thickness of the polar icecaps.

A SIRAL radial altimeter with two antennas will be used for accurately determining the height of the ice masses, the function of which will also be tested during CryoSat’s stay at the STC. Just as people can see spatially with two eyes, CryoSat will use its double radar to scan the earth’s surface. In conjunction with the DORIS instrument for ascertaining the exact flying height, CryoSat will provide highly accurate radar images with a mean high resolution of up to one centimetre.

After the test program has been completed at IABG, CryoSat will be transported to Plesetsk for launching, where it will be brought into a polar orbit approximately 720 km above the earth by a Russian launcher of the type “Rockot”.