Design and operations of a multi-satellite system for the Cross-Scale mission concept

Abstract

The ESA-funded “Cross-Scale Technology Reference Study” has been carried out with the primary aim to identify and analyse a mission concept for the investigation of fundamental space plasma processes that involve dynamical non-linear coupling across multiple length scales. To fulfil this scientific mission goal, a constellation of spacecraft is required, flying in loose formations around the Earth and sampling three characteristic plasma scale distances simultaneously, with at least two satellites per scale: electron kinetic (∼10km), ion kinetic (∼100–2000km) and magnetospheric fluid (∼3000–15000km).The key Cross-Scale (CS) mission drivers identified are the number of S/C and the space segment configuration, the reference orbit design, the transfer and deployment strategy, the S/C and payload design philosophy, the inter-satellite localisation and synchronisation process, as well as the mission operations.This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the mission design and analysis for the CS concept and outlines a technically feasible system architecture for a multi-dimensional investigation of space plasma phenomena. The main effort has been devoted to apply a thorough system-level trade-off approach and to accomplish an exhaustive analysis, so as to allow the characterisation of a wide range of mission requirements and design solutions.