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Product category: Embedded Computing and Control
News Release from: BAE Systems Aerospace Controls
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 13 April 2006

Measurement system guides craft into
Venus orbit

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A new and incredibly accurate, measurement system has been used by European Space Agency for the very first time to successfully guide the Venus Express spacecraft into orbit insertion.

A new and incredibly accurate, measurement system known as Delta-DOR has been used by European Space Agency for the very first time to successfully guide the Venus Express spacecraft into orbit insertion The Delta-DOR technique was developed by engineers at BAE Systems in Great Baddow, Essex, the University of Rome (La Sapienza) and ESA

The BAE Systems IFMS (intermediate frequency modem system) equipment proved crucially important in the orbit insertion phase, the point where the spacecraft is slowed down by just the right amount so that it correctly enters Venus orbit.

The spacecraft will now take five days to manoeuvre into its operational 24 hour elliptical orbit which will see it travel as close as 250km above Venus.

"This is the very first time that ESA used our equi