Leonardo also protagonist in the second generation of COSMO-SkyMed and in the scientific mission CHEOPS
The constellation for the observation of the COSMO-SkyMed Earth, of the ASI and of the Ministry of Defense, which recently celebrated 10 years, welcomes the first Second Generation satellite, successfully launched this morning at 9:54 from the European base of Kourou, in French Guiana. The first sign of connection with the satellite was received at 10.21 am by Leonardo's Fucino Space Center.
The European Space Agency (ESA) CHEOPS (Characterizing Exoplanet Satellite) satellite was also on board the Soyuz rocket for the study of the largest planets on Earth and smaller than Neptune belonging to other solar systems. Both missions, COSMO-SkyMed (CSG-1) and CHEOPS, have Leonardo's key instruments on board.
The managing director of Leonardo Alessandro Profumo commented: “We are proud to participate with skills and technologies in the Italian COSMO-SkyMed Second Generation program. As was the case for the currently operational constellation, the new generation will represent the best of earth observation capabilities at the service of Italian and European institutions and citizens for security and defense needs. Faithful to our tradition of excellence in developing tools for the study and exploration of the cosmos - he added - we are certain that the telescope developed by Leonardo for the CHEOPS mission, will provide data and information unique to the international scientific community. "
Leonardo is also responsible for managing the complex activities of putting into orbit and testing the satellite whose headquarters is the LEOP room (Launch and Early Orbit Phase) at the Fucino Space Center of the subsidiary Telespazio (67% Leonardo, 33% Thales).
Luigi Pasquali, Coordinator of Leonardo's space activities and Telespazio's managing director said: “The satellite will complete the LEOP phase in a week. To make these crucial LEOP activities possible, a room has recently been renovated with new technologies and enhanced capabilities, which will be a fundamental asset for these services. Telespazio is the only private operator in Europe able to manage the LEOP phase of a satellite mission ".
Leonardo also contributed to the CSG-1 satellite by providing the crucial systems for on-board power: photovoltaic panels (PVA) in carbon fiber (8 per satellite with about 5000 solar cells) and sophisticated electronic management units , transformation and distribution to on-board systems and subsystems of sunlight. The satellite will also be oriented and maintained in the correct orbit with the help of Leonardo's stellar sensors (A-STR). Each satellite has on board sensors that, like compasses, help guide and orient the satellite in space.
The launch of the second COSMO-SkyMed satellite will take place one year after the first one. CHEOPS, mission developed by ESA in collaboration with Switzerland, is instead the first mission of the Agency dedicated to the study of over 4000 exoplanets already discovered. On order of ASI, Leonardo designed and built the "eyes" of the satellite that will gravitate 700 km from the Earth. Together with the researchers of INAF Padova and Catania and the contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises, Leonardo oversaw the creation of the optical system of the telescope, which will guarantee the possibility of studying the planets of others closer for about three and a half years. solar systems, in search of their scientific characteristics.
COSMO-SkyMed
Funded by the Italian Space Agency, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education, University and Research, the COSMO-SkyMed system is the fruit and expression of the best skills of the Italian space industry, with Leonardo and its joint ventures Thales Alenia Space and Telespazio, assisted by a significant number of Small and Medium Enterprises. In particular, Thales Alenia Space (Thales 67%, Leonardo 33%) is the prime contractor company, responsible for the entire system, while Telespazio (Leonardo 67%, Thales 33%) built the ground segment and hosts the center of command and control of the constellation. The first generation has four satellites, launched in orbit between 2007 and 2010, and offers radar images to customers around the world. The COSMO-SkyMed constellation is able to acquire up to 1800 images a day that Leonardo, through e-GEOS (Telespazio / ASI), receives, processes and markets all over the world.