Verification of new technologies as main task of the communication payload of the Heinrich-Hertz mission

Abstract

In the space business, there is typically a quite long period from the design and development of new technologies to their commercial use. Even comprehensive tests on ground cannot replace long-lasting experiments and tests in space. Such IOV (In Orbit Verification) activities provide the scientific basis for the introduction and application of new technologies and the necessary heritage for commercial satellite programs. The Heinrich-Hertz mission of a geostationary communication satellite with a planned life time of 15 years lead by the German Space Administration (DLR) establishes a valuable basis to verify new technologies scientifically in orbit over a long period of time and to gain heritage regarding their performance in space [1]. In addition, research institutes and the industry are enabled to perform numerous scientific and technological experiments over the full life time of 15 years. With this approach of the mission, the German Space Administration offers to the German satellite industry an outstanding advantage and gain in knowledge for the development of new communication technologies and their applications. The launch of the satellite is envisaged for 2016. The technical feasibility of the overall program was successfully demonstrated within a Phase A study. The major tasks for the payload responsible during Phase A have been: (1) survey and assessment of all proposed IOV-technologies, (2) development of a payload concept for the scientific-technical verification of the IOV-technologies.