BIRD: More than 3 years experience in orbit

Kurzfassung

The DLR micro satellite BIRD (Bi-spectral Infra Red Detection) was piggy-back launched with the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C3 into a 570 km circular sun-synchronous orbit on 22 October 2001. The BIRD mission, fully funded by the DLR, answers topical technological and scientific questions related to the operation of a compact infra-red push-broom sensor system on board of a micro satellite and demonstrates new spacecraft bus technologies. The payload is dedicated to the observation of high temperature events and consists mainly of a Bi-Spectral Infrared Push Broom Scanner (3.4-4.2µm and 8.5-9.3µm), a Push Broom Imager for the Visible and Near Infrared and a neural network classification signal processor. With respect to this payload BIRD is a precursor mission for small satellite projects dedicated to the hazard detection and monitoring. In the year 2003 BIRD has been used in the ESA project FUEGOSAT to demonstrate the utilisation of innovative space technologies for fire risk management. In addition to the novel fire detection instrumentation, the BIRD mission has implemented new approaches in on-board processing technologies based on COTS high performance components in combination with failure tolerant design approaches. BIRD also demonstrates other new small satellite technologies like high precision reaction wheels, a low-cost star sensor, high performance spacecraft bus computer and an on-board navigation system. All these technology approaches have been demonstrated during the mission to work flawlessly and with high performance. These technological experiences will be studied now in detail to reduce the costs for related future missions. Further more, the aspect of the cost reduction is not only restricted to the technology, but is also driven by the efficiency of the implementation and mission management. The BIRD mission has served all these fields and can be used now as a case study. The paper will describe the first attempts to optimise the overall BIRD mission scenario making future missions more cost-effective.