https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/7881 2026-04-06T10:11:31Z 2026-04-06T10:11:31Z Muller, C. https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13403 2024-08-15T11:28:03Z

CHAMBARA. A concept for atmosphere-surface observations from the International Space Station Muller, C. In parallel to vegetation mapping exemplified by VEGETATION and spectral thematic instruments as MERIS, other important natural and man-made phenomena characterize the equatorial and low latitude regions region covered especially well by the International Space Station orbit. The agreement between the space agencies evolves now to a lifetime of the ISS up to 2025. Two themes can be proposed: hydrography and biomass burning. Hydrography has an extreme human importance as human life and agriculture depend on water, transport as well; also the hydroelectric energy which could be harnessed from the hydrological network is tremendous and would allow a sustainable development of the entire region. Biomass burning is also a major issue, both due to its direct agricultural management aspects and also to its influence on global pollution.

Van Hoof, D. Jacobs, C. https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/10864 2023-04-08T00:06:58Z

The Operational Challenges of the Multiscale Boiling Investigation on the International Space Station Van Hoof, D.; Jacobs, C. Multiscale Boiling is a European Space Agency funded experiment performed on-board the International Space Station between 2019 and 2021 that aimed at studying the basic physics of the boiling process. This paper focuses on the operational aspects of the Multiscale Boiling experiment, from its preparation to the execution on-board of the ISS and the lessons learnt. Studying boiling in a microgravity environment allows studying the basic physical aspects of the boiling process and allows the observation of effects that are too fast and too faint to be measured under normal gravity conditions. The experiment addresses fundamental questions about two-phase heat transfer during boiling processes. For this purpose, single or few subsequential bubbles are selectively ignited in a nucleation point on a heated substrate using a short laser pulse. A multi-scale experimental approach is adopted, including the application of two external forces (electrical field and shear flow). The diagnostics tools include a multi-thermocouple rack, high-speed black and white and infrared cameras. More than 3000 data sets have been generated over a 9-month measurement period spread over two measurement campaigns. The experiment was monitored and controlled from ground by the Belgian User Support Operations Centre (B.USOC) and the raw scientific data was further distributed to the Science Teams. The process of boiling heat transfer depends on the environmental conditions, determined by the liquid temperature, the liquid pressure, the heat flux at the substrate heater, the preheating time, the liquid flow rate, and the strength of the electric field. This large number of experiment parameters results in a complex setup which requires careful monitoring and continuous real-time control by the ground operator, preventing a fully automated approach for the science runs. The Multiscale Boiling experiment was operationally challenging, as the conduct and result of the experiment was mainly relying on the expertise of the ground operator. An assessment was made of the operational issues that had to be dealt with during both the operations preparation and execution phases with recommendations to the processes applied over the lifetime of such a project. In addition, during the operations execution, several hardware anomalies occurred, preventing the complete achievement of all mission objectives while additional objectives were added to compensate for it. Nevertheless, the Science Teams are very satisfied with the data, which are of an unprecedented quality. The data will be used to achieve a much better knowledge about the boiling process and to validate theoretical models and numerical codes. The success of the mission was made possible thanks to the intense and productive close collaboration between the different instances involved, being the international and multidisciplinary Science Teams, the European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus and the B.USOC.

Kruglanski, M. De Donder, E. O’Hara, J. Crosby, N. Kriegel, M. Zychova, L. Laurens, H. Glover, A. https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/10863 2023-04-08T00:06:57Z

Services for Spacecraft Operations support within the ESA Space Weather Service Network Kruglanski, M.; De Donder, E.; O’Hara, J.; Crosby, N.; Kriegel, M.; Zychova, L.; Laurens, H.; Glover, A. The dynamic space environment can lead to potentially hazardous and sudden effects on spacecraft that can have serious impacts on operations and service provision. The continuous real-time monitoring of space weather allows to make informed decisions related to spacecraft operations and helps with the correlation of results for future risk mitigation. Established in the frame of the ESA Space Situational Awareness programme and further strengthened in the ESA Space Safety programme, the ESA Space Weather Service Network combines European assets, including ground- and space-based space weather monitoring systems and data-processing and modelling capabilities. It builds on these in combination with expert support to develop user-tailored services, providing timely and reliable space weather information to end users. Individual products, reports, toolkits and user support are grouped into targeted services according to the needs of user communities ranging from spacecraft operators to power system operators. The network is organised around five Expert Service Centres focusing on Solar Weather, Heliospheric Weather, Space Radiation, Ionospheric Weather and Geomagnetic Conditions, in addition to a central Data Centre and a Coordination Centre. As part of its service evolution strategy, the network sets up user support campaigns during which tailored space weather information is proposed through prototype dashboards and/or bulletins. The campaigns focus on periods of high solar activity and help establish tailored alerting schemes. Campaign feedbacks are taken as inputs for further service developments and product improvements. This paper provides a status of the services currently offered by the ESA Space Weather Service Network Portal (https://swe.ssa.esa.int) and some lessons learned from the user campaigns. A focus is given on data products, tools and support that can help operators anticipate and possibly mitigate space weather effects. In addition, the recent user campaign performed in collaboration with the European operational satellite agency EUMETSAT for its fleet in both Low-Earth and geostationary orbits is presented.

Dufey, J. Voet, K. Michel, A. Kruglanski, M. De Smet, L. Jacobs, C. https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/10862 2023-04-08T00:06:55Z

Relocation of the Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) on the International Space Station Dufey, J.; Voet, K.; Michel, A.; Kruglanski, M.; De Smet, L.; Jacobs, C. The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) is a 314-kilogram external payload attached to the Columbus module of the International Space Station (ISS). It was developed by the European Space Agency (ESA) and the main objective of ASIM is the study of the upper layers of the atmosphere and in particular, phenomena known as Transient Luminous Events and Terrestrial Gamma-ray Flashes. On board since April 2018, ASIM has produced outstanding science. ASIM mission was supposed to end in December 2021 when another payload was programmed to use its location. With its excellent health and science output, the idea was put forward to relocate ASIM somewhere else on the station instead of simply removing and trashing it. With very little lead time, the ground teams managed to overcome all the hurdles to make this relocation possible. From a nadir viewing payload, designed to monitor the top of thunderstorms, ASIM has become a limb viewing one since January 2022. Remarkably, a limb viewing instrument was in the original plans for ASIM, but was descoped for financial reasons. The science produced at this new location is therefore quite complementary to the original location.