Context

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands engaged us during the preliminary design phase of the Sentinel-5P mission. The objective was to investigate the feasibility of the thermal control system for the TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) based on preliminary inputs from Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands.

Airbus Netherlands is a supplier of high-tech products and services for the international aerospace industry. Since its founding in 1968, the company contributes to noteworthy space programs and has built up broad expertise. The Dutch organization is part of Airbus Defence and Space, a division of Airbus. The portfolio of the Leiden-based company includes solar arrays, launcher structures, instruments, systems & services, and mechanical & thermal products.

Problem

Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands required a comprehensive thermal design study to determine the viability of the thermal control system for the TROPOMI instrument.

Solution

Nitrexo approached the challenge with expertise and following a Thermal Design Study:

• Developed a thermal model of the TROPOMI instrument within ESATAN-TMS using inputs from Airbus Defence and Space Netherlands.
• Conducted numerous analysis cases to study the TROPOMI instrument thermal performance in various configurations throughout the mission.
• Optimized the radiative heat exchange between the TROPOMI instrument and its environment, ensuring all components maintained their design operating temperature range.
• Defined the requirements and optimal locations for survival/operational heaters and their dedicated thermal sensors.
• Produced a Design Definition Report detailing the Thermal Control System (TCS) characteristics and a Design Justification File Report, which included the thermal model description, main temperature results, and heater power consumption.

The TROPOMI instrument was successfully launched on 13 October 2017 at 11:27 CEST / 09:27 UTC.

Outcome

• A comprehensive ESATAN-TMS thermal model tailored for the Sentinel-5P mission.
• Detailed Design Definition File (DDF) and Design Justification File (DJF) reports, providing insights into temperature results and heater power budgets.
• The TROPOMI instrument was successfully launched.

The TROPOMI satellite instrument has since been used to measure the size of a methane leak from a natural gas well in the U.S. state of Ohio: a team of scientists from SRON, VU, EDF and TNO determined the well leaked 120 tonnes of methane per hour, yielding a methane release of over 50,000 tonnes in a twenty-day period.

Let’s create another success story together. Contact us today at info@nitrexo.com.