Developing of MERTIS as an advanced process from the study up to the flight model

Abstract

ESA’s mission BepiColombo will be launched in 2016. MERTIS (Mercury Radiometer and Thermal imaging Spectrometer) is one of the key instruments. MERTIS is an imaging infrared spectrometer and radiometer using an uncooled detector technology with very small resources in terms of mass and power. The incentive of the MERTIS development is scientific requirements to study the surface composition and temperatures of Mercury under the extreme environmental condition at Mercury. Therefore, the state-of-the-art optical performance of MERTIS is unique. Components based on innovative technologies have been developed and qualified to realize the project. This approach required an advanced model philosophy and development process from the study up to the flight model completed in 2013. This paper describes the development process as well as challenges from the management and system engineering point of view up to a lessons learnt that lead to important conclusions.