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Doris-equiped satellites

The Doris system has been a great technical, operational and scientific success. The Doris instrument, which is already flying on a number of satellites and is being considered for several new missions, guarantees users a high-quality operational service providing precise orbit determination over the long term. With more satellites carrying the Doris instrument, the system will make more accurate than before.

 

Current on-orbit constellation

Currently five Doris contributor satellites are in flight, and their measurements are available at the IDS data centers.

  • Spot-4 (Cnes) was launched in 1998, and is expected to continue until 2012. Further information on on the Cnes Space Scientific Missions website.
  • Jason-1, the Cnes/Nasa Topex/Poseidon follow-on mission was launched on December 7, 2001 with a miniaturized second generation Doris receiver, a GPS and LRA  localisation system. Due to the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) effect on the Jason-1 on-board Ultra Stable Oscillators (USO), a correction model has been developed:
    by J.M. Lemoine and H. Capdeville (J. Geodesy, 2006) and is available on IDS website.
    Further information on Jason-1 mission.
  • Envisat (ESA) was launched on March 1, 2002 with a second generation Doris receiver and a laser retroreflector array (LRA). Further information on Esa website. 
  • Spot-5 (Cnes) was launched on May 4, 2002 with a miniaturized second generation Doris receiver. The mission should be extended to 2015. Further information on on the Cnes Space Scientific Missions website.
  • OSTM/Jason-2 (Cnes/Nasa/Eumetsat/Noaa) - The Topex/Poseidon and Jason-1 follow-on ocean observation mission was launched on June 2008. Jason-2 takes on board the new DGXX Doris receiver (7-channels: beacons simultaneous tracking capability has been raised up to seven beacons, USO new generation allowing a better frequency stability while crossing SAA, a better quality of MOE and Jason-2 useful for beacons location), and LRA and GPS as tracking systems. Further information on  OSTM/Jason-2.

From June 2008 to end of January 2009,  both Jason-1 and OSTM/Jason-2 satellites  were on the same orbit with a one minute shift. Then, thanks to five orbit change manoeuvers peformed between January 26th 2009 and February 14th 2009, Jason-1 is now located in an interleaved orbit with respect to Jason-2, with a time lag of approximately 5 days. This new tandem configuration is better suited for real-time applications.

Satellites

Doris receiver generation

Doris redundancy

Other tracking system

Cospar #

Doris instrument end

Spot 2

1G

No

-

9000501

30-Jun.-2009 

Topex/
Poseidon

1G

Yes

SLR+GPS

9205201

1-Nov-2004

Spot 3

1G

No

-

9306101

9-Nov-1996

Spot 4

1G

No

-

9801701

 

Jason-1

2GM

Yes

SLR+GPS

0105501

 

Envisat

2G

Yes

SLR

0200901

 

Spot 5

2GM

No

-

0202101

 

STPSat-1

CITRIS

-

GPS

0700604

 

Jason-2

DGXX

Yes

SLR+GPS

0803201

Confirmed future Doris missions

The future Doris missions are numerous and should guarantee a constellation with at least four Doris contributor satellites through 2020:

  • Cryosat-2 (ESA) is to be launched in February2010 with on board a Doris DGXX Receiver + LRA,  (3.5 years as nominal lifetime). Further information on Esa website.
  • HY-2A (China Academy of Space), is to be launched by the end of 2010, with on board a Doris DGXX + LRA + GPS (nominal life time of 3 years).  Further information on HY-2A mission.
  • Saral (Isro/Cnes) is to be launched from September 2010, with a Doris DGXX + LRA (nominal lifetime of 5 years). Further information on Saral.
  •  Sentinel-3A (GMES/ESA) is planned for April 2013 (DORIS DGXX + LRA + GPS) (nominal lifetime of 7 years), Then sentinel 3B is planned for 2017. Further information on Esa website.

Proposed future missions or missions awaiting approval

  • Jason-3 (Eumetsat/Noaa/Cnes) pending approval before end of 2009, is foreseen from mid 2013 (DORIS DGXX + LRA + GPS). Further information on Jason-3.
  • Swot (Surface Water Ocean Topography)  Mission is foreseen for end of 2016 (DGXX + GPS + LRA).  Further information on Swot website or on Aviso website. 
  • HY2 Missions and Doris on board  are pending approval:  HY-2B 2012, HY-2C 2015, HY-2D 2019: DORIS + GPS + LRA. Further information on HY-2A.
  • Sentinel 3, C, D with DORIS+GPS+LRA from 2021: to be confirmed.  Further information on Esa website.