SENER is taking part in these two European satellites, which study the origin of the universe and the formation of galaxies and stars, and is the most ambitious and expensive programme of the European Space Agency to date on a scientific mission.

Among the consortium of companies taking part in this mission, SENER is responsible for the complete Attitude and Orbit Control System (AOCS/GNC) of the Planck satellite and for part of the elements common to both satellites installed in the AOCS/GNC system of Herschel. This system is responsible of taking them to the required positions (orbit) and maintaining them with the suitable pointing and stabilization profiles (attitude), as well as correcting any possible deviations. The spin stabilizing system used in the Planck satellite lets the satellite’s continuous and slow movement obtain information along a complete ring in the celestial sphere in each of the vehicle’s spins, until it configures a thorough map of deep Space. Satellite and telescope pointing, and its scanning, are measured, determined and controlled by the system SENER is responsible for and includes sensor equipment, computer, decision logics, software, and actuation equipment to control it. It is worth mentioning that the AOCS/GNC system is one of the most important components in all satellites and one of the most complex and delicate. On one hand, it is essential for the functioning of the satellite and, on the other hand, it determines the quality of this functioning. This dependency makes the system to be designed to resist any type of failure and therefore to guarantee the operability of the mission even with non working equipments.

It should be stressed that SENER has achieved a milestone in the Spanish Space industry, since this is the first time a Spanish company is responsible for the entire guidance and control system of an ESA satellite, in the case of Planck.