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TOPEX/Poseidon: Perspectives on an Ocean Planet

- Spacecraft Systems

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satsys

The term Spacecraft System is used to describe a group of four systems that constitute the spacecraft and sensors, and their continuing maintenance and operations. These are the Satellite System, the Sensors System, the GPS experiment System, and the CNES Sensors System.

The Satellite System Team was responsible for the design and fabrication of the Multimission Modular Spacecraft and the Instrument Module, for installation of the instrument payload into the satellite, and for verification testing prior to launch.

The Sensors System Team is responsible for the development of all NASA sensors on board TOPEX/Poseidon, except for those involved with the GPS Experiment, and for insuring that all the sensors are compatible with one another and interface correctly with the satellite.

The GPS Experiment System Team is responsible for development and testing of the GPS receiver on board TOPEX/Poseidon. Finally, the CNES Sensors System Team is responsible for management of the CNES solid-state altimeter and the DORIS receiver.