The generic PROTEUS program was initiated by CNES and Alcatel Alenia Space by the end of 1996 to develop a multi mission platform for LEO small scientific Satellites. From a thermal control point of view, the ambitious aim was to base the mission adaptability solely on the modification of the radiator sizes and the active thermal control software parameters.
The Satellite JASON-1 (successor of Topex Poseidon), which was launched in December 2001 is the first application of the PROTEUS platform. Thanks to more than 4 years of exploitation (designed for 5 years), the PROTEUS/JASON-1 thermal control has definitely proven its robustness.
Because of this successful flight operation, 5 other platforms have been contracted. These platforms will benefit from developments to bear the heavier and more dissipative payloads to be launched between 2006 to 2008. Calipso, the first Satellite which benefits from these imrovements was delivered to launcher authority in July 2005. The other Satellite with a “PROTEUS Platform Evolution” under development are COROT, JASON-2, and SMOS.
Apart from these Satellite developments, specific studies show that the PROTEUS developments improved its flexibility allowing widening the initial flight domain to more constraining missions.
In addition, the Proteus based thermal concept of GIOVE-B, the Galileo validation mission, represents a further adaptation for the MEO - GEO orbit with a telecommunication payload having specific thermal constraints.