Experiences from Operating the Earth Observation Satellite HYPSO-1

NTNU’s research satellite, HYPSO-1, was launched on the 13th of January 2022. Since then, the satellite has gone through systems checkout and commissioning of the satellite bus, and the HYPSO team has taken full control of the satellite. The payload, mainly consisting of a novel hyperspectral imager and processing platform has been used to monitor and perform marine research. Performing targeted captures requires thorough planning and is exposed to many possible error sources. Whilst continuously striving towards producing higher quality data, the academic team has learned how to utilize the payload’s capability when planning captures more efficiently. This contribution will describe experiences gained through operating HYPSO-1 for nearly a full year orbiting the Earth. Topics to be described range from the timing of captures and validation of spacecraft scripts to the agility needed in capture planning based on weather forecasts.