RHEA System S.A. contributes to Europe Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV -2) Johannes Kepler
Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium,7 of March 2011- RHEA System S.A. (RHEA) is proud to announce its contribution to the operations of ATV-2 Johannes Kepler, which launched on the 16th February and docked to the International Space Station (ISS) on 24th of February. A tailored version of RHEA’s MOIS software is used by CNES, the French national space agency, for the preparation and validation of the manual and automatic procedures that control the spacecraft’s flight control, rendezvous, docking and re-entry manoeuvres.
Johannes Kepler is second in the series of European Space Agency (ESA) Automated Transfer Vehicles (ATV) that supply the International Space Station (ISS) with provisions such as propellant, water, air, and experiments. Each ATV is also used to retrieve space station waste and is then de-orbited to burn in the atmosphere above the southern Pacific Ocean.
The ATV approach and docking manoeuvres to the ISS are performed automatically, under the control of procedures that are prepared and validated with MOIS at the ATV Control Centre (ATV-CC) at CNES in Toulouse, France.
Manufacturing and Operations Information System (MOIS) is an integrated set of software tools for Spacecraft and Ground Segment testing and operations preparation. MOIS is widely used by the European Space Agency (ESA), system integrators and satellite operators. Developed in close collaboration with operations engineers, AIV engineers and ground and space segment developers, MOIS addresses the real issues that are key to a successful mission preparation.
“We are very pleased to continue our specialised support to this advanced European programme” said Simon Reid, RHEA’s Chief Engineer. “Our engineers have supported ESA and CNES for the last couple of years to prepare for this second mission. MOIS is used for achieving synchronised automated operations through all the mission phases. MOIS achieves seamless integration of the ATV databases and procedures, and helps maximise the quality, security and safety of the ATV operations.”
RHEA System S.A. is a Belgian based Space Engineering Consulting and Software company that offers knowledge-based services and innovative proven solutions to the space industry. Our teams of system engineers and scientists provide support to clients across Europe, Canada and the USA. RHEA’s combined Space domain expertise and excellence in system and software engineering is both recognized and unique, resulting in highly reliable user-centric solutions.
CNES is the French Space Agency responsible for the definition and implementation of France’s space policy. It is involved in a number of areas including: access to space, with the Ariane programme and the creation of a launch base in French Guiana; commercial applications such as Earth observation and space radio communications; and knowledge of the Universe, scientific space research primarily designed to achieve progress on the origins of the Universe and the origins of life. The traditional aspects of its programs astronomy/astrophysics and exploration of the solar system – have been enriched with new topics such as basic physics and exobiology as well as microgravity research activities conducted during automated flights and in connection with manned flights.
