The Columbus polar platform

The platform will provide a facility in low Earth, polar, Sun synchronous orbit offering standard resources such as power, data management, communications, pointing, to a wide variety of instruments and payload complements. It is modular in concept, comprising separately developed and integrated service and payload modules. Communications links are provided at S-band, at X-band for direct to ground transmission of payload data and at Ka-band via the European Data Relay Satellite (DRS) for commanding and for the transmission of instrument data. A brief description of the polar platform design is provided, focusing on some of the more critical areas which relate to challenging engineering or technology issues. An outline of the operational capabilities offered by the platform is also given showing the flexibility in operations afforded by the spacecraft design and the relationship with the DRS and ground segment infrastructures