Payload Management

Payload Management 

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The provision of the PLATO Payload is the responsibility of the European Space Agency in collaboration with the PLATO Mission Consortium (PMC), in accordance with the established Multi-Lateral Agreement (MLA). As for the Payload System:

  • ESA is responsible for:
    • the management, coordination, systems engineering, system verification and timely delivery of the PLATO Payload hardware and on-board software (henceforth referred to simply as the Payload).
    • the procurement of the CCDs for the Focal Plan Arrays of the PLATO cameras, as an Agency (ESA) Furnished Item and their delivery to the PLATO Payload;
    • the procurement of the Ancilliary Electronic Units (AEU) for the Focal Plan Arrays of the PLATO cameras, as an Agency (ESA) Furnished Item and their delivery to the PLATO Payload;
    • the provision of a service of EEE parts coordinated procurement via a CPPA Agent.
  • the PLATO Mission Consortium (PMC) is responsible for:
    • providing the payload elements according to the agreed interfaces and schedule;
    • contributing to the integration and tests of the payload at system level, under the control of ESA;
    • supporting the payload maintenance and operations throughout the mission lifetime.

The Payload Manager

An ESA Mission and Payload Manager leads the ESA-PMC collaboration who provide the PLATO Payload Hardware and Software elements.

The ESA Payload and Mission manager responsibilities are:

  • Ensure the timely delivery of Payload Hardware and on-board software elements compliant to applicable requirements to the Spacecraft element for integration and testing.
  • Coordinate payload systems engineering tasks and outputs.
  • Coordinate interface engineering for the payload elements with the Spacecraft, Operational Ground Segment and Science Ground Segment.
  • Resolve of technical and organisational issues and conflicts at payload level.
  • Manage development risks including early escalation to relevant stakeholders when required to mitigate impacts on the program.

The Mission and Payload Manager reports to the ESA Project Manager and is the formal interface for the Payload with the Spacecraft development team, the PI and co-PI Office and the Science Ground Segment.