Author Topic: LIVE: TanDEM-X launch - June 21, 2010 (Read 33631 times)

eeergo · « **on:** 05/17/2006 07:25 pm »

http://www.space.eads.net/press-center/press-releases/tandem-dlr-and-eads-astrium-release-new-satellite-mission

"The German Space Agency DLR on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and Europe´s leading satellite manufacturer EADS Astrium today announced at the ILA-Airshow in Berlin its intention to build a new satellite mission called TanDEM-X. Following the official kick-off, development and manufacturing of the new German radar-satellite will now start at EADS Astrium´s Friedrichshafen plant. TanDEM-X is scheduled for launch in 2009. Together with the almost identical radar satellite TerraSAR-X which is to be launched in autumn this year, it will form a high-precision radar interferometer."

jacqmans · « **Reply #1 on:** 09/03/2006 09:13 pm »

DLR and Astrium sign contract for German satellite TanDEM-X

30 August 2006

http://www.dlr.de/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1/86_read-4553/

The German Aerospace Center (DLR) and one of Europe's leading satellite manufacturers, Astrium GmbH, signed a cooperation agreement and contract today at the German Space Agency in Bonn for building the satellite TanDEM-X. The agreement marks a continuation of the successful public-private partnership between DLR and industry established under the TerraSAR-X project. TanDEM-X ('TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement') is an Earth-observing radar satellite system. The spacecraft is due to launch in 2009 and is designed for 5 years of operation.
Earth observation in a two-for-one formation

Together with the almost identical satellite TerraSAR-X, scheduled for launch in October 2006 from the Baikonur space centre, TanDEM-X will circle the Earth in close formation flight. By means of this two-for-one constellation, it will be possible to completely survey the Earth's land surface (150 million square kilometres) within only three years. One goal will be the production of a global Digital Elevation Model having unprecedented accuracy. For example, for a designated 12-meter raster, or measurement scale, which is about the width of a highway, the system will deliver elevation data that is accurate up to 2 meters.

Benefiting the state and industry: a public-private partnership

The agreement signed today stipulates the rights and obligations of DLR and Astrium as well as project financing and the usage of data from TanDEM-X. The partners agreed to finance the almost-85-million-euro satellites jointly as a public-private partnership, with DLR contributing 56 million euro and Astrium investing 26 million euro; 3 million euro is expected to be generated through resale of excess payload capacity on the satellites.

Use of the data for scientific applications will be the responsibility of DLR's Microwaves and Radar Institute. Commercial marketing of the data will be managed by Infoterra GmbH, in Friedrichshafen, Germany, a 100-percent subsidiary of Astrium. In return, the company will accept part of the operating costs of the satellites depending on total revenue.

Sharing responsibilities between DLR and Astrium

According to the agreement, DLR's Space Agency is charged with overall project management responsibility for TanDEM-X. In addition, DLR is responsible for the establishment of the ground segment. Routine mission control of the two satellites, data receipt, archiving and distribution, as well as the generation and calibration of the global Digital Elevation Model will be managed by DLR's control centre, the DLR Remote Sensing Technology Institute, the German Remote Sensing Data Center and DLR's Microwaves and Radar Institute; the latter also holds responsibility for running the ground segment. DLR will also undertake the 5-year operation of the satellites.

Astrium GmbH will be responsible for the development, construction and launch of TanDEM-X. Engineers in Friedrichshafen have already begun work on the satellite.

Improved geodesy via satellite technology

The crucial advantages of satellite-based Earth surveying technology will enable the production of an accurate worldwide elevation model. The data thus gathered will suffer neither from heterogeneities nor data breaks at political or other artificial borders, which often develop from varying survey procedures used in different jurisdictions or from survey campaigns separated by time. The use of space-based radar will play a crucial role, since remote sensing can continue independent of weather or clouds, day and night.

The planned radar surveying procedure is at present unique in the world and has received considerable attention from other countries, in particular the USA. TanDEM-X is thus a cornerstone project that demonstrates and cements Germany's technological capabilities and competitiveness in satellite-based radar technology.

Starting in 2010, Germany will have at its disposal a high-quality global Digital Elevation Model of the Earth, which will be an attractive and unique data product that can be applied to Earth observation programs and initiatives. For instance, the data could be used by the Center for Satellite Based Crisis Information (ZKI) as well as by activities undertaken as part of the GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) initiative. GMES is a joint initiative of the European Commission and the European Space Agency (ESA) focussed on global environmental and safety monitoring.

The twin satellite: TerraSAR-X

TerraSAR-X is high-resolution radar satellite operating in the X-band (9.65 GHz), which is to be launched on 31 October 2006 for a planned 5-year mission. It will circle the Earth at an altitude of approximately 500 kilometres in a polar orbit. Using a modern radar sensing system based on a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), TerraSAR-X will deliver new, high-quality remote sensing data. A SAR works by emitting multiple short bursts of radar signals in order to produce a highly accurate 'snapshot' image. The Earth's surface reflects these signals, and the radar echoes are then received back at the satellite's antenna and stored. After complex digital processing of the received signals, radar images having a resolution of up to a meter can be generated and made available for scientific and commercial applications. TerraSAR-X is the first German satellite developed through a public-private partnership (or PPP) between DLR and Astrium. Under this type of co-operative effort, both parties provide part of the financing to build the system.

Contact:

Andreas Schütz
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Corporate Communications
Tel.: +49 30 67055-130
Fax: +49 30 67055-151
E-Mail: andreas.schuetz @ dlr.de

Rolf Werninghaus
German Aerospace Center (DLR)
Space Agency, Earth Observation
Tel.: +49 228 447-587
Fax: +49 228 447-747
E-Mail: rolf.werninghaus @ dlr.de

anik · « **Reply #2 on:** 06/14/2009 03:43 pm »

Construction completed on TanDEM-X radar satellite
June 9, 2009

http://www.astrium.eads.net/en/press-center/press-releases/2009/construction-completed-on-tandem-x-radar-satellite

Friedrichshafen, 09 June 2009 – The German radar satellite TanDEM-X has been successfully completed by the space company Astrium in Friedrichshafen. The satellite has been developed in conjunction with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR).

* Testing to be undertaken in Munich - Launch from Baikonur in October

* Mapping of the Earth with innovative radar interferometer

* High-precision digital elevation model available as of 2012

Next week, the satellite, which is five metres long and weighs 1.3 tonnes, will be transported to Ottobrunn near Munich where it will undergo testing at Astrium’s and IABG’s test facilities. TamDEM-X will remain there until mid-September, where final checks will be conducted ahead of launch. It will then be transported to the Baikonur space centre (Kazakhstan) with lift-off aboard a Russian Dnepr launcher scheduled for October.

TanDEM-X will fly in tandem formation with the identical TerraSAR-X satellite for a period of two years, generating a digital elevation model of the Earth's land masses. By flying in close formation at distances of just a few kilometres to 200 metres apart, both satellites form a radar interferometer. Through this process the satellites will be able to provide radar images of unprecedented quality over the coming years.

As with the TerraSAR-X 'sister mission', the TanDEM-X project was implemented in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between Astrium GmbH and DLR. The PPP agreement provides TanDEM-X funding and data utilisation. Thus, the partners (DLR and Astrium) jointly financed the satellite to the total of approximately €85 million: €59 million was provided by DLR and €26 million by Astrium. Furthermore, DLR has developed the mission-relevant ground segment and is responsible for mission planning and implementation, as well as for the control of both satellites and the generation of the digital elevation model. Data exploitation for scientific purposes is coordinated by the DLR institute for high-frequency technology and radar systems. Infoterra GmbH (Friedrichshafen), a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium, is exclusively responsible for commercial marketing.

With the aid of the tandem formation of TerraSAR-X/TanDEM-X it will be possible to completely measure the Earth's land surface (150 million square kilometres) within a period of only three years. For a 12-metre grid (street width), height information can be determined with an accuracy of less than two metres.

The distinct advantage of satellite-based Earth measurement is the generation of a world-wide, consistent and homogeneous terrain model with no discontinuity at regional or national borders and no inhomogeneities resulting from different measurement procedures and measurement campaigns staggered in time (mosaics). The radar plays a decisive role here, since it can be operated completely independent of weather and clouds, day and night.

This mapping procedure is unparalleled and is of particular interest to the USA. TanDEM-X is a key project for demonstrating, safeguarding and extending the German competence and competitiveness in the field of satellite-based radar technology.

As of 2012, Germany will possess a digital terrain model of the Earth – an attractive and worldwide unique data product – which, in addition to many scientific application possibilities, can be used in initiatives and programmes, such as the centre for satellite-based crisis information (ZKI - Zentrum für satellitengestützte Kriseninformation), GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) and GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), and also in security-relevant cooperation agreements.

anik · « **Reply #3 on:** 04/30/2010 05:23 pm »

TanDEM-X – Mapping the Earth in 3D
http://www.astrium.eads.net/node.php?articleid=5003

Munich/Friedrichshafen, 29 April 2010 – The German radar satellite TanDEM-X, built by Astrium, has proven its suitability for operation in space in a series of special tests at IABG in Ottobrunn, near Munich. On 11 May, the satellite will leave Germany from Munich airport and head to the Baikonur space centre in Kazakhstan. Lift-off aboard a Russian Dnepr launcher is scheduled for 21 June 2010. As with the TerraSAR-X ‘sister mission’, the TanDEM-X project has been implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Astrium GmbH.

Together with the almost identical TerraSAR-X satellite, which has been operational since 2007, TanDEM-X will generate a digital elevation model of the Earth’s landmasses in unprecedented quality over the course of three years. For this purpose, TanDEM-X and TerraSAR-X form a radar interferometer: The satellites fly in close formation at a distance of only a few hundred metres, thus enabling simultaneous terrain images from different perspectives. The two satellites are scheduled to measure the complete land surface of the Earth (150 million square kilometres). For a 12-metre grid (street width), height information can be determined with an accuracy of less than two metres.

IABG has conducted extensive tests to prove the satellite’s suitability for operation in space. The testing programme covered electromagnetic compatibility, thermal-vacuum tests including sun simulation, vibration tests, acoustic tests and the determination of the satellite’s mass properties. A special feature during the test campaign was the so-called ‘Boom-Release Test’ investigating the shock loads in the satellite which were caused by unfolding its antenna in space. The qualification tests were conducted at IABG’s space centre in Ottobrunn, one of the ESA-coordinated test centres.

The PPP agreement between Astrium and DLR defines TanDEM-X funding and data utilisation. Thus, the partners jointly finance the satellite at a total cost of approximately €85 million: € 59 million will be provided by DLR and €26 million by Astrium. Furthermore, DLR develops the mission-relevant ground segment and is responsible for mission planning and implementation, as well as for the control of both satellites and the generation of the digital elevation model. Data exploitation for scientific purposes is coordinated by the DLR institute for high-frequency technology and radar systems. Infoterra GmbH (Friedrichshafen), a wholly owned subsidiary of Astrium, is exclusively responsible for the adaptation of the elevation model to the needs of commercial users and for its world-wide marketing.

The decisive advantage of satellite-based Earth measurement is the generation of a globally consistent and homogeneous elevation model with no discontinuity at regional or national borders and no inhomogeneities resulting from different measurement procedures and measurement campaigns staggered in time. The radar plays a decisive role here, since it can be operated completely independent of weather and clouds, day and night.

This mapping procedure is currently unparalleled and is of particular interest to the USA. TanDEM-X is a key project for demonstrating, safeguarding and extending Germany’s competence and competitiveness in the field of satellite-based radar technology.

Germany will possess a digital elevation model of the Earth – a unique data product – which, in addition to many scientific application possibilities, can be used by organisations such as the DLR centre for satellite-based crisis information (ZKI - Zentrum für satellitengestützte Kriseninformation) and by programmes and initiatives, such as GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security), GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems), and also in security-relevant cooperation agreements.

Similar to TerraSAR-X, the ‘sister satellite’ of TanDEM-X, the commercial exploitation of data and derived products is part of the PPP agreement between Astrium and DLR. Infoterra GmbH, an Astrium subsidiary, founded in 2001 for commercial TerraSAR-X marketing, will also be responsible for providing new TanDEM-X-based height information to its customers all over the world.

Since the commencement of TerraSAR-X’s operational service in early 2008, Infoterra has been able to establish a solid position on the global market for Earth observation data and services and has set up a distribution network with more than 50 partners in 33 countries. This promising business basis will also be used to successfully market the TanDEM-X data and products.

The fields of application are versatile and range from an increased efficiency in the production of oil, gas or minerals, improved crisis mission planning, prediction of the impacts of disaster situations to a more specific preparation of defence and security missions. First and foremost, in many countries all over the world, cartographers will be able to obtain improved height information – thanks to this more precise and current data source.

bolun · « **Reply #4 on:** 05/04/2010 01:22 pm »

TerraSAR-X's 'twin' satellite, TanDEM-X, certified ready for space

The construction of the German radar satellite TanDEM-X (TerraSAR-X add-on for Digital Elevation Measurement) is complete and the satellite has been qualified for space operations during a series of tests conducted at IABG in Ottobrunn, near Munich.

On 11 May, the satellite will set off on the first leg of its journey – from Munich airport to the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Lift-off aboard a Russian Dnepr launcher is scheduled for 21 June 2010.

http://www.dlr.de/en/DesktopDefault.aspx/tabid-1/86_read-24034/

anik · « **Reply #5 on:** 05/05/2010 06:33 pm »

http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=10479

Dnepr rocket was delivered to Baikonur cosmodrome at the end of April.

anik · « **Reply #6 on:** 05/06/2010 05:37 pm »

http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=10508

Dnepr rocket was installed into the silo 109/95 today.

anik · « **Reply #7 on:** 05/07/2010 07:07 am »

Photos of yesterday's installation of rocket into silo from http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=10518

anik · « **Reply #8 on:** 05/12/2010 06:40 pm »

http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=10609

TanDEM-X satellite has arrived to Baikonur cosmodrome aboard An-124 aircraft today.

bolun · « **Reply #9 on:** 05/15/2010 08:49 pm »

TanDeM-X Blog

http://www.dlr.de/blogs/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-5919/

bolun · « **Reply #10 on:** 06/15/2010 07:13 pm »

TanDEM-X Prelaunch Processing at Baikonur (photos)

http://www.federalspace.ru/main.php?id=2&nid=9624

bolun · « **Reply #11 on:** 06/18/2010 08:36 pm »

Early bird special – watch the TanDEM-X launch live

TanDEM-X, Germany's new Earth observation satellite, is scheduled for launch on Monday, 21 June 2010 at 04:14 CEST. DLR will stream the TanDEM-X launch live from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, as well as an exclusive infotainment programme from the control centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany.

http://www.dlr.de/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-1/117_read-25089/

Quote

In addition, we (DLR) will be posting real-time updates to DLR's Twitter channel and the TanDEM-X mission blog. You are also welcome to chat with us via Livestream-Chat."