space vehicles: instruments; techniques: photometric; telescopes; planets; Astrophysics - Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics
Abstract :
[en] Context. Since the discovery of the first exoplanet almost three decades ago, the number of known exoplanets has increased dramatically. By beginning of the 2000s it was clear that dedicated facilities to advance our studies in this field were needed. The CHaracterising ExOPlanet Satellite (CHEOPS) is a space telescope specifically designed to monitor transiting exoplanets orbiting bright stars. In September 2023, CHEOPS completed its nominal mission duration of 3.5 yr and remains in excellent operational conditions. As a testament to this, the mission has been extended until the end of 2026. Aims: Scientific and instrumental data have been collected throughout in-orbit commissioning and nominal operations, enabling a comprehensive analysis of the mission's performance. In this article, we present the results of this analysis with a twofold goal. First, we aim to inform the scientific community about the present status of the mission and what can be expected as the instrument ages. Secondly, we intend for this publication to serve as a legacy document for future missions, providing insights and lessons learned from the successful operation of CHEOPS. Methods: To evaluate the instrument performance in flight, we developed a comprehensive monitoring and characterisation (M&C) programme. It consists of dedicated observations that allow us to characterise the instrument's response and continuously monitor its behaviour. In addition to the standard collection of nominal science and housekeeping data, these observations provide valuable input for detecting, modelling, and correcting instrument systematics, discovering and addressing anomalies, and comparing the instrument's actual performance with expectations. Results: The precision of the CHEOPS measurements has enabled the mission objectives to be met and exceeded. The satellite's performance remains stable and reliable, ensuring accurate data collection throughout its operational life. Careful modelling of the instrumental systematics allows the data quality to be significantly improved during the light curve analysis phase, resulting in more precise scientific measurements. Conclusions: CHEOPS is compliant with the driving scientific requirements of the mission. Although visible, the ageing of the instrument has not affected the mission's performance. The satellite's capabilities remain robust, and we are confident that we will continue to acquire high-quality data during the mission extension.
Disciplines :
Space science, astronomy & astrophysics
Author, co-author :
Fortier, A.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland , Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Simon, A. E.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland, Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Broeg, C.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland, Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Olofsson, G.; AlbaNova University Center
Deline, A.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Wilson, T. G.; University of Warwick, Department of Physics
Maxted, P. F. L.; Keele University, Department of Physics and Astrophysics
Bárczy, T.; Admatis, 5. Kandó Kálmán Street, 3534, Miskolc, Hungary
Barrado, D.; Center for Astrobiology, Madrid
Barros, S. C. C.; University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics, University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics
Baumjohann, W.; Austrian Institute of Space Science Research
Baycroft, T.; University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy
Beck, T.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Benz, W.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland, Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Bíró, B. I.; Baja Astronomical Observatory, Hungary, Eotvos Lorand University, Department of Astronomy
Cubillos, P. E.; Astronomical Observatory of Turin, Austrian Institute of Space Science Research
Davies, M. B.; University of Lund, Sweden
Davis, Y. T.; University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy
Deleuil, M.; Aix-Marseille Universite, Laboratoire d'Astrophysique
Demangeon, O. D. S.; University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics, University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics
Derekas, A.; Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary, -
Dransfield, G.; University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy
Ducrot, E.; CEA Saclay, Service d'Astrophysique
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Kalup, Cs.; Konkoly Observatory, -
Kilkenny, D.; University of the Western Cape, Department of Physics, Private Bag X17, Bellville, 7535, CapeTown, South Africa
Kiss, L. L.; Konkoly Observatory, Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary
Kriskovics, L.; Konkoly Observatory
Lam, K. W. F.; Helmholtz Institute for Planetary Research, Berlin
Laskar, J.; Observatoire de Paris, Institut de Mecanique Celeste et de Calcul des Ephemerides
Lecavelier des Etangs, A.; Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris
Lendl, M.; University of Geneva, Astronomical Observatory
Lopez Pina, A.; Airbus Defence and Space, Spain, Avda de Aragon 404, E-28022, Madrid, Spain
Luntzer, A.; University of Vienna, Department of Astronomy
Magrin, D.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua
Miller, N. J.; Keele University, Department of Physics and Astrophysics, Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Warsaw
Modrego Contreras, D.; INTA (National Institute of Aerospace Technology), 01 - Campus "Torrejón de Ardoz", Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain
Mordasini, C.; Weltraumforschung und Planetologie, Physikalisches Institut, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland, Center for Space and Habitability, University of Bern, Gesellschaftsstrasse 6, 3012, Bern, Switzerland
Munari, M.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Murray, C. A.; University of Colorado, Boulder, Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences
Nascimbeni, V.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua
Ottacher, H.; Austrian Institute of Space Science Research
Ottensamer, R.; University of Vienna, Department of Astronomy
Pagano, I.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Pál, A.; Konkoly Observatory
Pallé, E.; Astrophysical Institute of the Canaries, -
Pasetti, A.; High Tech Center 1, Taegerwilen, Thurgau, CH-8274, Switzerland
Pedersen, P. P.; University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy, ETH Zurich, Department of Physics
Peter, G.; German Aerospace Center, Berlin
Petrucci, R.; National University of Cordoba, Astronomical Observatory, -
Piotto, G.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua, University of Padua, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Pizarro-Rubio, A.; Airbus Defence and Space, Spain, Avda de Aragon 404, E-28022, Madrid, Spain
Pollacco, D.; University of Warwick, Department of Physics
Pribulla, T.; Slovak Academy of Sciences
Queloz, D.; ETH Zurich, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy
Ragazzoni, R.; Astronomical Observatory of Padua, University of Padua, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Rando, N.; European Space Research and Technology Centre
Rauer, H.; Helmholtz Institute for Planetary Research, Berlin, Technical University of Berlin, Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics, Free University of Berlin, Department of Geosciences
Ribas, I.; Institute of Space Studies, Catalona, Institute of Space Studies, Catalona
Sabin, L.; UNAM, Institute of Astronomy
Santos, N. C.; University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics, University of Porto, Center for Astrophysics
Scandariato, G.; Astronomical Observatory of Catania
Schanche, N.; University of Maryland, Department of Astronomy, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland
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Scutt, O. J.; University of Birmingham, School of Physics and Astronomy
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