Spacecraft development

Gaia mechanical architecture Decoupling payload module/service module Interface with launcher via a ring and a clamp band system Central cone as main load pathCentral ConePropulsion system Design approach‣ 1st step: staging optimisation between launcher and spacecraft» Gaia: launcher ensures the insertion into transfer orbit to L2» Lisa Pathfinder: spacecraft/cruise stage composite inserted on a transfer orbit» Bepi Colombo: multi stage spacecraft for Earth escape, cruise and insertion around Mercury‣ 2nd step: selection of propulsion system• Analyse of orbit manœuvres and associated velocity increments• Selection of the propulsion techniques» High thrust/medium efficiency (chemical) or low thrust/high efficiency (electrical)» Cold gas, liquid or solid» For the liquid system, selection between Hydrazine (Isp 220 s), bipropellant (Isp 300 s) or dual mode‣ 3rd step: Propulsion architecture definition• Tank sizing• Thrusters configuration and capacity (in connection with AOCS)• Pressurisation and isolation circuit definition‣ 4th step: Propulsion thermal control definition