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VENμS

From Alfawiki
VENμS (Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a New Micro-Satellite)
Company typeJoint project
IndustrySpacecraft / Earth observation
FoundedApril 2005
FounderIsrael Space Agency, CNES
FateDecommissioned August 2024
Headquarters
Israel (IAI), France (CNES)
,
Israel, France
Area served
Global (Earth observation)
ProductsEarth observation satellite, Super Spectral Camera, Israeli Hall Effect Thruster technology demonstration
OwnerIsrael Space Agency, CNES
ParentIsrael Aerospace Industries (construction), Rafael Advanced Defense Systems (technology mission)

Vegetation and Environment monitoring on a New Micro-Satellite (VENμS) is a microsatellite operating in a near-polar Sun-synchronous orbit, developed collaboratively by the Israeli Space Agency and CNES. The project commenced in April 2005 and the satellite was launched on 2 August 2017. Its design and construction were carried out by IAI and Rafael under the guidance of ISA, with costs amounting to US$20 million borne by ISA and €10 million by CNES.

CNES contributes the superspectral imaging camera and oversees the science mission center, whereas ISA is responsible for the satellite control center, technological mission, payload (including the Israeli Hall Effect Thruster and autonomous mission), spacecraft systems, and integration with the launch vehicle.

History

An initial joint feasibility assessment occurred in early 2005. That same year marked the start of Phase A, which led to a memorandum of understanding between CNES and the Israel Space Agency (ISA) in April 2005, confirming the satellite’s development. Although originally planned for launch in 2008, various delays and launcher modifications postponed deployment until 2 August 2017. The satellite was launched aboard a Vega rocket from Guiana Space Centre, sharing the flight with the Italian OPTSAT-3000.

After several mission extensions, VENμS was decommissioned in August 2024 following exhaustion of its fuel supply.

Mission

VENμS fulfilled both scientific research and technological demonstration roles. Scientific requirements were established by France’s Centre d'Etudes Spatiales de la BIOsphère, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, and CNES. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems defined the parameters for the technological mission.

Scientific mission

The satellite operated on a two-day revisit cycle, maintaining consistent viewing geometry and solar illumination angles to enable advancements in image processing techniques. It monitored over 50 selected global sites, revisiting them every two days throughout its operational life to gather sensor data and imagery. Primary goals included:

  • Tracking surface alterations driven by environmental changes and human activity
  • Creating and validating ecosystem process models
  • Enhancing models of the global carbon cycle
  • Developing methodologies for scale transfer
  • Processing data from sensors with low spatial resolution

VENμS was equipped with a Super Spectral Camera featuring a catadioptric optical design, incorporating a focal plane assembly with narrow bandpass filters. It contained four detector units, each with separate CCD-TDI arrays that had independent operational and thermal regulation.

The satellite also included a Ritchey-Chretien telescope with a focal length of 1.75 meters and an aperture diameter of 0.25 meters, safeguarded by a deployable cover to protect it from contamination while in orbit.

Technological mission

In addition to scientific objectives, VENμS demonstrated advanced Israeli Hall Effect Thruster technology (IHET). This part of the mission highlighted the thrusters’ capabilities and autonomous functions such as:

  • Orbit maintenance maneuvers
  • Transfers within Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
  • Supporting imaging operations under conditions of high atmospheric drag at an altitude of approximately 410 km in sun-synchronous orbit

The propulsion system utilized 16 kg of Xenon propellant for these activities.

Platform

The VENμS satellite is constructed upon the OPSAT 3000 framework developed by Israel Aerospace Industries. It features a dual propulsion arrangement, utilizing hydrazine for orbital insertion and xenon to support its technological operations. The spacecraft's total wet mass is 265 kg, which includes 16 kg of xenon and 7 kg of hydrazine propellant.

Ground control station

Control from the ground is conducted by IAI in Israel. The Israeli mission control center oversees two subordinate stations: the scientific mission is operated from the Toulouse Space Center in France, while the technology mission is directed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Technological Mission Center located in Haifa, Israel.

See also

External links

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