Asset Publisher

The Attitude and Orbit Control of XMM

The Attitude and Orbit Control of XMM

Publication date: 01 December 1999

Authors: Elfving, A.

Journal: ESA Bulletin
Volume: 100
Year: 1999

Copyright: ESA

Attitude and orbit control of the XMM spacecraft relies on two subsystems on-board: the Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem (AOCS) and the Reaction Control Subsystem (RCS). Together they must provide:

  • stable Sun-pointing after the spacecraft's separation from the launcher and during solar-array deployment
  • increase the spacecraft's perigee altitude by means of a chemical propulsion delta-V of about 210 ms-1
  • provide undisturbed, high-accuracy, three-axis pointing during scientific observations lasting up to 40 h
  • slew the spacecraft between observations, and before and after perigee ensure that the Sun remains more than 15 deg away from the telescope at all times.

Link to publication
Last Update: Sep 1, 2019 9:36:48 AM
29-Mar-2024 07:03 UT

ShortUrl Portlet

Shortcut URL

https://sci.esa.int/s/wRdlrD8

Images And Videos

Related Publications

Related Links

See Also

Documentation