Industrial Organisations

Expert support laboratories Payload data segment
Polar platform and satellite
Payload

Expert support laboratories (ESL)

Algorithm specifications
Prototypes
Level 1b ESL/industrial support
Level 2 ESL/industrial support
System engineering ESL support

Algorithm specifications

The ESLs, with industrial support, are responsible for producing the detailed algorithm specifications for Level 1b and Level 2 products, as well as for providing continuous support throughout the mission exploitation phase.

The results of the ESL work is contained in a set of algorithm specifications:

• Input/Output Data Definition defining the detailed content and format of all products, including auxiliary products
• Detailed Processing Model and Parameter Data List specifying in detail the mathematical algorithms to produce the Level 1b and Level 2 products
• Computer Resource Requirements

The development of the PDS operational processor is based on these applicable requirement specifications.

Prototypes

The detailed algorithm specification is accompanied by the development of software prototypes in order to ensure the correctness of the algorithm specification, including detailed check of the interfaces.  These also evaluate the sensitivity and robustness of the proposed algorithm chain, support the evaluation and the selection among different algorithm alternatives when needed, and finally, generate test data sets for the acceptance of the operational processors.

An important role in this process is played by the instrument system simulators. For more information regarding these, please refer to each individual instruments' data products section.

Level 1b ESL/industrial support

Level 2 ESL/industrial support

System engineering ESL support

Industrial organisation: payload data segment development

Alcatel Space Industries (former Thomson-CSF Services & Systemes Sol Spatiaux) was prime contractor responsible for overall programme management, central procurement of hardware and software, system engineering, and system validation and acceptance.

Individual facility development contracts have been awarded to European and Canadian subcontractors having the expertise and experience due to their involvement in other Earth observation programmes.

Envisat Payload Data Segment development prime contractor: Alcatel Space Industries (former Thomson) - Zoom to full contractor overview.

Industrial organisation: polar platform and satellite

The European Polar Platform has been developed by a consortium of European industrial companies led by the prime contractor Marconi Space in Bristol, United Kingdom, who was also responsible for the final satellite integration and preparation for launch. Dornier, Germany, had major development responsibility for Payload Equipment Bay which is part of the Payload Module, and Matra Marconi Space in Toulouse (F) was leading the Service Module development. In all, about 50 companies have participated in this major undertaking.

Envisat Polar Platform & Satellite Prime contractor: MMS (B) - Zoom to full contractor overview.

Industrial organisation: Envisat payload

The industrial team was led by Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH, responsible for the ESA development instruments and certain mission/system aspects.

The Envisat team included leading European and Canadian companies which had gained significant experience from their involvement in the main European Earth observation programmes. Many have particularly been involved in the ERS 1/2 programme such to provide for continuity and transfer of experience from that very successful programme.

Envisat Payload prime contractor: Dornier Satellitensysteme GmbH - Zoom to full contractor overview.

Keywords: ESA European Space Agency - Agence spatiale europeenne, observation de la terre, earth observation, satellite remote sensing, teledetection, geophysique, altimetrie, radar, chimique atmospherique, geophysics, altimetry, radar, atmospheric chemistry