The Polar orbit platform (POP) is a newly designed system for the 21st century, intended to establish a longer life space infrastructure with multiple sensors as well as multiple uses, when compared with the existing satellites which are used for a limited period and purpose.
POP is composed of a main space station, a space shuttle and an inter-orbital vehicle as shown in Figure 5.13.1, by which exchange of mission equipments and repair of the form will be possible.
POP is made of a module structure with ORU (Orbital Replacement Unit) for replacement of mission parts and battery. Such functions of POP will make the system large in size and payload, but long in life.
Japanese ADEOS (Advanced Earth Observation Satellite) as shown in Table 5.13.1 is not POP a but is designed for a future type platform of earth observation satellite with the function of data relay. ADEOS is characterized by the multiple sensors of OCTS (Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner by NASDA), AVNIR (Advanced Visible and Near Infrared Radiometer by NASDA), and AO (Applications of Opportunity) sensors such as NSCAT, TOMS, IMG, POLDER, and ILAS .
At present the space station project is delayed and cut back to a smaller system without orbital services. For example, NASA EOS-a and b, ESA POEM-1 and 2 will be launched at the end of the 20th century for earth environmental monitoring.
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