TY - JOUR
T1 - The BRITE constellation nanosatellite mission
T2 - Testing, commissioning, and operations
AU - Pablo, H.
AU - Whittaker, G. N.
AU - Popowicz, A.
AU - Mochnacki, S. M.
AU - Kuschnig, Rainer
AU - Grant, C. C.
AU - Moffat, A. F.J.
AU - Rucinski, S. M.
AU - Matthews, J. M.
AU - Schwarzenberg-Czerny, A.
AU - Handler, G.
AU - Baade, D.
AU - Wade, G. A.
AU - Zocłońska, E.
AU - Ramiaramanantsoa, T.
AU - Unterberger, M.
AU - Zwintz, K.
AU - Pigulski, A.
AU - Rowe, J.
AU - Koudelka, O.
AU - Orleański, P.
AU - Pamyatnykh, A.
AU - Neiner, C.
AU - Wawrzaszek, R.
AU - Marciniszyn, G.
AU - Romano, P.
AU - Woźniak, G.
AU - Zawistowski, T.
AU - Zee, R. E.
PY - 2016/12/1
Y1 - 2016/12/1
N2 - BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation, the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research, is a collaboration among Austria, Canada and Poland. The fleet of satellites (6 launched; 5 functioning) performs precise optical photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. A pioneering mission like BRITE-with optics and instruments restricted to small volume, mass and power in several nanosatellites, whose measurements must be coordinated in orbit-poses many unique challenges. We discuss the technical issues, including problems encountered during on-orbit commissioning (especially higher-than-expected sensitivity of the CCDs to particle radiation). We describe in detail how the BRITE team has mitigated these problems, and provide a complete overview of mission operations. This paper serves as a template for how to effectively plan, build and operate future low-cost niche-driven space astronomy missions.
AB - BRIght Target Explorer (BRITE) Constellation, the first nanosatellite mission applied to astrophysical research, is a collaboration among Austria, Canada and Poland. The fleet of satellites (6 launched; 5 functioning) performs precise optical photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. A pioneering mission like BRITE-with optics and instruments restricted to small volume, mass and power in several nanosatellites, whose measurements must be coordinated in orbit-poses many unique challenges. We discuss the technical issues, including problems encountered during on-orbit commissioning (especially higher-than-expected sensitivity of the CCDs to particle radiation). We describe in detail how the BRITE team has mitigated these problems, and provide a complete overview of mission operations. This paper serves as a template for how to effectively plan, build and operate future low-cost niche-driven space astronomy missions.
KW - Instrumentation: Detectors
KW - Methods: Data analysis
KW - Methods: Observational
KW - Space vehicles: Instruments
KW - Stars: Oscillations (including pulsations)
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84994515758&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1088/1538-3873/128/970/125001
DO - 10.1088/1538-3873/128/970/125001
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84994515758
SN - 0004-6280
VL - 128
JO - Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
JF - Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
IS - 970
M1 - 125001
ER -