The Herschel Space Observatory development, operation and post-operations: lessons learned

Göran Pilbratt; Matt Griffin; Peter Barthel; José Cernicharo; Thijs De Graauw; Pierre Encrenaz; Jacqueline Fischer; Pedro Garcia-Lario; Paul Harvey; Martin Harwit; Frank Helmich; Albrecht Poglitsch; Eckhard Sturm; Laurent Vigroux; Christoffel Waelkens

doi:10.1117/12.2561116

13 December 2020 The Herschel Space Observatory development, operation and post-operations: lessons learned

Göran Pilbratt, Matt Griffin, Peter Barthel, José Cernicharo, Thijs De Graauw, Pierre Encrenaz, Jacqueline Fischer, Pedro Garcia-Lario, Paul Harvey, Martin Harwit, Frank Helmich, Albrecht Poglitsch, Eckhard Sturm, Laurent Vigroux, Christoffel Waelkens

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 11443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 1144309 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561116
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2020, Online Only

Abstract

The Herschel Space Observatory was the fourth Cornerstone mission of ESA’s Horizon 2000 programme, and a €1Bclass far infrared space observatory. The satellite and mission were developed over an approximately 10-year period before launch in 2009 and highly successful operation for approximately four years. A Post-Operations programme continued until 2017 (and with little resources even until 2019) in order to complete the data processing, calibration and documentation activities and to populate the Herschel Science Archive with the final data products and documentation. The Herschel Science Team, which oversaw the mission over a nearly 20-year period from late 1998 until its 61st and final meeting in late 2017, has conducted a comprehensive lessons learned review of the project from start to finish, encompassing all aspects of the endeavour – programmatics and management of the spacecraft, instrument consortia and ground segment; instrument development and testing; spacecraft implementation; ground segment and operations preparation pre-launch, in-flight operation and post-operations; science management and user support; and communications. Science is not addressed here except in general terms – this is not a scientific assessment. Focusing on generic features of the mission and its management, organisation, and technical design that have potential applications and relevance to future space projects, we have identified and assessed a number of aspects in which the Herschel experience can provide valuable lessons, both positive and negative, to aid the effective development and success of future missions, especially ones that are comparable in magnitude and complexity. We outline the main findings and conclusions of this Lessons Learned exercise.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Göran Pilbratt, Matt Griffin, Peter Barthel, José Cernicharo, Thijs De Graauw, Pierre Encrenaz, Jacqueline Fischer, Pedro Garcia-Lario, Paul Harvey, Martin Harwit, Frank Helmich, Albrecht Poglitsch, Eckhard Sturm, Laurent Vigroux, and Christoffel Waelkens "The Herschel Space Observatory development, operation and post-operations: lessons learned", Proc. SPIE 11443, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2020: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 1144309 (13 December 2020); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2561116

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available