Science
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Top-level Objectives
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- First-step characterisation of super-Earths and Neptunes
- Insight into physics and formation of planets; identification of planets with atmospheres; constraints on planet migration
- Identification of golden targets for spectroscopic characterisation
- Probing atmospheres of hot-Jupiters (phase curve measurements), study of physical mechanisms and efficiency of energy transport
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![Spacecraft Rendering](/documents/10651/953918/CHEOPS_BEAUTY_FRONT_gradient_625.jpg/984d5a48-acc7-437d-b95e-4a5085f6bdd7?t=1458134887000)
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Key Science Requirements
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- Photometric precision (stability) over 48 hr timescale: 20 ppm (6 hrs) for G-type star, 6≤ V≤9; 85ppm (3 hrs) for K-type star, V ≤12
- Sky coverage, target observability/visibility
- Temporal resolution (1 measurement/min; timing precision (1s))
- Mission lifetime of 3.5 years (5 years goal)
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![](/documents/10651/953918/ScienceRequirementsBlackboard/400c473c-4086-42be-9dbb-bbc952299551?t=1479192944110)
![](file://localhost/Users/kisaak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image004.gif)
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Programmatics
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Mission Flavour and Partners
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- S (small)-class mission in ESA’s Science Cosmic Vision Programme in partnership with Switzerland, with important contributions from Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom
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![](/documents/10651/953918/CosmicVision/8e7d27cc-528e-43f5-819a-168a45993791?t=1479192138869)
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Instrument
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Design
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- Single high accuracy photometer, VIS/NIR range (0.35-1.1 um)
- Compact Ritchey-Chrétien telescope, physical diameter = 320 mm (equivalent diamaneter 300 mm)
- 60 kg / 60 W / 1.2 Gbits per day
- Single, frame-transfer, back-illuminated and back-thinned CCD (AIMO), 1k x 1k pixels, op. temp -40 deg C (stabilised to 10mK)
- Baffle to meet stringent stray-light requirement
- Developed by a consortium led by the University of Bern (CH)
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![](/documents/10651/953918/Instrument-thumbnail/f101864d-5224-2fd8-943d-a417063bfd4f?t=1510737608871)
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Spacecraft
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Design
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- Recurring design based on AS-250 (~1 m3, ~ 290 kg, ~ 200 W)
- 3-axes stabilised, APE < 4 arcsec (rms)
- Roll around Line of Sight (LoS) to maintain radiators pointing to cold space
- LoS within 60 deg half-cone around anti-Sun direction
- Developed by Airbus D & S Spain
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![](file://localhost/Users/kisaak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image010.gif)
![](/documents/10651/953918/CHEOPS+Platform+Schematic/31c17a35-1857-4f1d-8fb9-45b53e0edf95?t=1485250125705)
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Ground Segment
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Organisation
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- Mission Operations Centre (MOC) development by GMV (ES); operations at Torrejon de Ardoz by INTA (ES)
- Science Operations Centre (SOC) at University of Geneva (CH)
- Ground stations at Torrejon, Villafranca and Kiruna (LEOP only)
- All operations incl. Launch and Early Orbit Phase and commissioning executed from MOC
- Mission Planning System under SOC responsibility
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![](file://localhost/Users/kisaak/Library/Caches/TemporaryItems/msoclip/0/clip_image012.gif)
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Opportunities
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Guest Observing
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- 20% of total observing time available to the Science Community through ESA's Guest Observers Programme which is made up of two components:
- Annual announcements of opportunuty (AO) - the first AO, AO-1, opened and closed on 19 March 2019 and 6 May 2019 respectively, with AO-2 opening/closing on 4 November/1 Decembet 2020. AO-3 is forseen to open in early November 2021
- A Discretionary Programme which is open all year round.
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Launch and Orbit
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- Launched from Kourou on Soyuz rocket operated by Arianespace, co-passenger under ASAP-S
- Launch date/time: 18 December 2019 at 05:54 local time (08:54GMT/UTC)
- Sun-synchronous orbit, Local Time of the Ascending Node 6am, altitude of 700 km
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![](/documents/10651/953918/Launcher/4cec578b-f341-9166-83f1-a4b3b1086bfa?t=1510736218447)
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