Satellite technology
The term satellite technology covers those techniques and engineering methods that deal with the construction and operation of artificial earth satellites and space probes.
Technically, a satellite can be viewed as the sum of sub-systems that cooperate in terms of satellite orbit and attitude control , construction, energy supply , mission purpose and telemetry . In addition to the flying sub-systems , there are also the launch vehicles with which the satellites or probes are brought onto their orbits, and the systems of the ground stations that ensure their operation.
Special requirements of satellite technology that go beyond the construction and operation of terrestrial systems include extreme weight reduction and miniaturization , economical energy supply , high radiation resistance, mechanical stability against extreme accelerations and vibrations , problems of weightlessness ( fuel extraction, vacuum technology , navigation etc.) and in the heat balance.
The basis of the satellite technology are the integrated subsystems that are distributed over the entire satellite - in particular the mechanical structure, adapters and joints, thermal control (passive and active), cabling , measurement and electrical control, safety and pyro systems .
Literature and web links
- U. Renner et al .: Satellite technology - an introduction. (146 p.), Springer-Verlag 1988.
- Ernst Messerschmid, Stefanos Fasoulas: Space systems. (3rd edition), Springer-Verlag, 2008, ISBN 3-540-77699-0 .