PRISMA - SWEDISH IN-ORBIT TESTBED FOR RENDEZVOUS AND FORMATION FLYING

The PRISMA project constitutes an in-orbit test bed for Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) algorithms and sensors for advanced formation flying and rendezvous operations. Several experiments regarding manoeuvring and sensor experiments will be performed, sorted in 4 main categories – Autonomous Formation Flying, Homing and Rendezvous, Proximity Operations and Final Approach and Recede. The project consists of two satellites, one highly manoeuvrable Main satellite and one Target satellite without orbit control. The spacecraft masses are in the order of 150 and 50 kg respectively. The project is carried out by Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) in close cooperation with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), CNES and the Danish Technical University. The project will also demonstrate 2 new propulsion technologies, the High Performance Green Propellant motor system and a MEMS technology microthruster cold-gas system milli-Newton thrust range. The launch is planned for the spring of 2009. The mission will be controlled from SSC facilities in Stockholm and Kiruna.