Mission Objective

ROSE-L is a satellite mission designed for monitoring the Earth’s environment, ice sheets, and oceans. Through continuous data collection and analysis of these critical planetary components, it will provide key information for emergency management services and environmental research.

ROSE-L Spacecraft Structure

The ROSE-L spacecraft is designed with a focus on robustness and lightweight construction, utilizing advanced composite materials and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP). This design strategy ensures a high strength-to-weight ratio, which is crucial for efficient launch and deployment.

The core structure consists of a central cylinder and a cone, which provide primary mechanical support and serve as the interface with the launch vehicle.

Auxiliary structural components, made from a combination of CFRP and aluminum panels, bear the spacecraft’s payload and connect to the tertiary support system. This tertiary structure, primarily composed of aluminum alloys, ensures additional stiffness and provides mounting points for various subsystems.

The overall structure of ROSE-L incorporates dedicated attachment points for solar panels and the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna array, optimizing stability and system performance.

Main Structural Components of ROSE-L

1. Primary Structure

• Central Cylinder: Provides core mechanical support and houses the propellant tank.
• Cone: Connects to the standard 1194 mm launcher interface for integration with the launch vehicle.
• Upper Cylinder End: Contains the propulsion system equipment plate.
• Sandwich Panels: Support spacecraft equipment while minimizing weight and maintaining structural integrity.
• Side Radiator Panels: Optimize thermal conductivity for effective heat dissipation.
• Propulsion System Plate: Provides mechanical support for propulsion system components.

2. Secondary Structure

• CFRP and Aluminum Panels: Carry quasi-static loads (QSL), interface forces, and torques.
• Structural Support: Ensures connection to the tertiary structure.

3. Tertiary Structure

• Support Brackets: Provide additional mechanical reinforcement for equipment and payload.
• Star Tracker Support: Enables precise satellite navigation via a star-tracking system.

Thanks to this highly optimized design, ROSE-L meets stringent space mission requirements, ensuring resilience to thermal and mechanical stress and long-term reliability in extreme space conditions.

Useful links:

ESA: ROSE-L

ESA: Radar observing System for Europe at L-band (ROSE-L)

ESA: Contract signed for new Copernicus ROSE-L mission