SMOS Launcher Preliminary Mission Analysis Review

The Launcher Preliminary Mission Analysis Review has been held in March/April 2006 as planned in the SMOS development plan as a project internal review.

ESA, CNES and representatives from Alcatel-Alenia-Space (the Proteus Platform Contractor) participated to this review for the SMOS project. In the same manner, the other participants come from the Russian company Khrunichev which manufactures the launcher and Eurockot, a company commonly established by EADS and Khrunichev, which provides the project management interface towards the customer.

The overall review objectives were to establish the technical and programmatic compatibility between the Rockot launcher and the two satellites SMOS and Proba-2, as Proba-2 will be launched as a co-passenger with SMOS.

Assessment of different aspects has been checked through three different panels: System panel, Satellite panel and Product Assurance panel. The different members review the launcher ballistic performances of the preliminary mission analysis results, the environment imposed by the launcher (mechanical, electrical, thermal) and its compatibility with the satellites, the quality assurance, reliability and safety aspects of the services provided.

The sequence of the different technical events reached its peak during the three days collocation meetings held by March end in Moscow Khrunichev premises (see Photos below). During these collocation meetings, the different panels processed satisfactory by 150 RIDs.

Thanks to all participants to this review, no major recommendation was proposed to the Board held in ESA/ESTEC premises in April 20. During this meeting, Board endorsed the main findings and actions of the technical reviewers and SMOS / PROBA-2 PMAM was considered officially successful.

Overall SMOS teams are now preparing the inputs and/or analysis for coming Launcher activities : updating the Interface documents and expecting for appointment given for Launcher Final Mission Analysis Review in Feb. 2007.

Collocation meeting: ESA/CNES/AAS team	Collocation meeting: Khrunichev team
Moscow still in the Snow	Moscow still in the Snow
CNES team (left to right: M.Ledu - Satellite, E.Vergnault - Safety, T. Voiron - Launcher IF, C. Salcedo - Flight Dynamics, L.Doumic - Mechanical, M.Venet - System, M. Cau - Electrical) arriving at the Red Square.	CNES team (left to right: E.Vergnault - Safety, M. Venet - System, C.Salcedo -Flight Dynamics, L.Doumic - Mechanical, F.Bermudo- Project Manager, T.Voiron - Launcher IF) in front of St Basil church
Market and subway station	Sunset on the Moscova