Proposed Deep Space Experiment
An opportunity exist on the SMART-1 spacecraft to demonstrate the use of new technology for deep spce missions.
It is proposed to fly the Deep Space Transponder currently under development within the frame of the GSTP-2 propgramme.
To fully utilise this opportunity several other experiments are proposed. A brief introduction is outlined below.
KaTE: System Experiment
KaTE (Ka-band TTC Experiment) is proposed as a Technology Experiment onboard the SMART-1 spacecraft.
The full set of interface and specification documents are available here: System Documentation
XKaT: Test-bed Ground Station
XKaT (X-band Ka-band Testbed) is proposed as an experimental facility to validate the KaTE experiment on-ground and in-orbit.
Libration Experiment
A Radio Science System Experiment using the high accuracy ranging capability to determine the libration of a planetry body.
Turbo Code Experiment
Telemetry performance enhancement using the newly defined Turbo Codes. The KaTE experiment includes a Turbo Encoder conforming to the recently established CCSDS standard
Ground Station Calibration
Use of the onboard equipment as a Calibration Source for the ESA Perth and the ASI Sardinia Ground Stations