Speaker
Description
The IRIDE mission, managed by the European Space Agency (ESA) with support from the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and funded through Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), is part of a multi-platform Earth observation initiative. The mission aims to deploy a “constellation of constellations” to deliver imaging services across a broad range of applications.
This presentation outlines the thermal model correlation activities carried out for OHB-I’s contribution to the IRIDE constellation, with a focus on both the optical payload and the overall satellite system. The telescope’s thermal model was correlated through dedicated thermal balance tests at subsystem level to improve model accuracy and verify the thermal control system (TCS) performance in maintaining optical focus under worst-case environmental conditions.
The thermal analysis workflow involved the development of Thermal and Geometrical Mathematical Models (TMM and GMM) using Systema Thermica software, followed by a two-stage thermal vacuum (TVAC) test campaign—initially at payload level, then at the integrated satellite level. Post-test correlation efforts refined the models, with particular attention to the optical payload system, which represents a mission critical element.
The final correlated models provided an improved characterization of the satellite thermal behavior and of the payload TCS and its impact on optical performance. The presentation will conclude with insights on how the correlation activities influenced flight temperature predictions and will highlight key lessons learnt throughout the testing and validation campaign.
