New Technologies

Trace is the fourth satellite in the Small Explorer series and is scheduled to launch aboard a Pegasus XL rocket in December 1997. The TRACE science investigation quantitatively explores the fine scale magnetic fields and the associated plasma structures of the Sun allowing for definitive solar analysis of Solar dynamics such as: plasma confinement, reconnection, wave propagation and plasma heating.

The TRACE instrument takes high spatial and temporal resolution images which require both a precise and stable pointing platform and large quantities of on board solid state memory.

Using technologies developed from previous SMEX mission would not be adequate without additional technology infusion to solve either the strict pointing or data storage requirements for TRACE.

To meet strict pointing requirements TRACE engineers employ a rather clever solution, that is, the TRACE instrument guide telescope is used as a high resolution sun sensor whose error signal is incorporated into the spacecraft attitude control laws. When this result is combined with a KALMAN filtering scheme that can weigh the relative contributions of each attitude sensor the spacecraft can maintain attitude to .0014 degrees accuracy.

To meet the enormous on board data storage requirements for TRACE engineers utilize newly developed high density memory modules totaling a 300 Megabyte array of memory.

Moreover, engineers took advantage of the fact that TRACE points to the sun continuously to include a solar cell technology development experiment. This experiment evaluates the long term performance of new multi-junction solar array technology.

Clearly TRACE succeeds in meeting the agency goals of being faster, better, and cheaper while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of new technologies.

This page last updated 12/13/96.

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