In
spacecraft
A spacecraft is a vehicle or machine designed to fly in outer space. A type of artificial satellite, spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, Earth observation, meteorology, navigation, space colonization, p ...
operations, Launch and Early Operations (LEOP) is one of the most critical phases of a mission. Spacecraft operations
engineers
Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the ...
take control of the
satellite
A satellite or artificial satellite is an object intentionally placed into orbit in outer space. Except for passive satellites, most satellites have an electricity generation system for equipment on board, such as solar panels or radioi ...
after it separates from the launch vehicle. LEOP generally concludes once the satellite is safely positioned in its final orbit.
During this period, operations staff work typically 24 hours a day to activate, monitor and control the various subsystems of the satellite, including the deployment of any satellite appendages (such as Antenna (radio), antennas, Photovoltaic module, solar arrays, Reflector_(antenna), reflectors, and radiators), and undertake critical orbit and Spacecraft attitude control, attitude control manoeuvres. Extra support staff are typically on hand and on-call during LEOP, relative to staffing during normal operations.
For geostationary satellites, the launch vehicle typically carries the spacecraft to Geostationary Transfer Orbit, or GTO. From this Ellipse, elliptical orbit, the LEOP generally includes a sequence of Liquid Apogee Engine, apogee engine firings to reach the circular geostationary orbit.
See also
*Ground segment
*Satellite space segment
References
ESA Spacecraft Operations website
Spaceflight concepts
Spaceflight