LEOSTAR™Development and Validation

The LEOSTAR generic avionics development currently in progress at Matra Marconi Space Toulouse center can be easily adapted to a variety of small satellites in LEO, with specific sensor and equipment suite selected according to the mission needs. A generic avionics bench has been set up and proto-flight equipment procured for a comprehensive configuration. The development and validation are performed along an incremental process for the two AOCS main modes, Acquisition and Safe Hold mode (ASH) and Normal mode. The functional and dynamics behavior is analyzed and compared with the results of the SIMULEO simulation software, with any potential deviation investigated and accounted for. The validation is proceeding as planned, with flight software and equipment at flight standard running in closed loop and real time. The successful validation of the ASH mode has been completed in early 1998 and will be followed later this year by the validation of the Normal Mode.