- Shortcut URL A study of the spacecraft design is to be
conducted at ESA's Concurrent Design Facility in September 2011.
Current studies are based on the following broad
characteristics: The spacecraft will be composed of a payload
module and a service module. The payload module will host two
instruments: the Large Area Detector (LAD) and the Wide Field
Monitor (WFM). The service module will consist of the subsystems
necessary for normal operation of the spacecraft. This includes
the Attitude & Orbit Control System, On-board Data Handling,
Telemetry and Telecommunication, Electrical Power System,
Structure (including secondary structure for payload), Thermal
Control System, and Reaction Control Subsystem. For the
spacecraft subsystems, full redundancy is planned, while for the
payload, the modular design of the LAD reduces the chances of
single failures. The spacecraft concept uses off-the-shelf
equipment with an emphasis on reusing existing comparable
platforms or subsystems.