Orbital Coriolis - Manual

Earth Science/
Remote Sensing
Mission Description
Coriolis is a USAF/SMC and Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command meteorological science
mission to demonstrate the viability of using polarimetric radiometry to measure ocean surface wind
speed and direction from space, and to demonstrate predictions of geomagnetic disturbances through
continuous observation of Coronal Mass Ejections. Two government furnished payload instruments are
utilized: WindSat and the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI). These instruments gather science data
that is stored onboard the spacecraft and, upon ground command, is subsequently downlinked on
X-band to a ground station.
Spacecraft
Orbital was the space system integrator as well as the designer and manufacturer of the spacecraft
bus. Orbital also developed backup ground station elements, supported launch vehicle integration, and
continues to provide on-orbit support.
Key performance features include extremely low levels of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) emissions
that could impair the operation of WindSat's passive radiometers; physical accommodation of WindSat,
with its 125 kilograms spinning platform, that ensures an unobstructed science field of view while
providing the necessary power, pointing knowledge, control, and stability; and full redundancy with
robust fault management and safing capabilities. Orbital built robustness into Coriolis' control and
safing algorithms including satellite recovery and placement in a thermally safe, power safe attitude in
response to disruption of the WindSat spin rate or failure of its momentum compensation system.
Coriolis was launched in January 2003 from Vandenberg Air Force Base aboard a Titan II rocket.
Designed for a three year mission, Coriolis remains operational after more than nine years in orbit with a
cumulative bus availability of 98 percent. Orbital continues to provide Sustaining Engineering support to
the mission.
• Joint Air Force and Navy program
• Launched January 6, 2003 on a Titan
II rocket from Vandenberg AFB
• 830 x 830 km, 98.7 ° inclination
• Coriolis continues to perform on-orbit
after more than three times its design life
• The WindSat instrument measures
ocean surface wind speed and
direction and the SMEI images coronal
mass ejections
• Spacecraft maintains extremely low
electromagnetic emissions to prevent
interference with WindSat's passive
radiometers
• Simple, easily integrated design based
on Orbital's flight-proven LEOStar-3
modular spacecraft architecture
Customers:
USAF SMC/SDTW – Kirtland Air Force
Base, New Mexico
Naval Research Laboratory
FACTS AT A GLANCE
Coriolis
A Low Earth Orbit Meteorological Science Satellite
LEO