CHEOPS in-flight performance

Author(s): A. Fortier, A. E. Simon, C. Broeg, G. Olofsson, A. Deline, T. G. Wilson, P. F.L. Maxted, A. Brandeker, A. Collier Cameron, M. Beck, A. Bekkelien, N. Billot, A. Bonfanti, G. Bruno, J. Cabrera, L. Delrez, B. O. Demory, D. Futyan, H. G. Florén, M. N. Günther, A. Heitzmann, S. Hoyer, K. G. Isaak, S. G. Sousa, M. Stalport, A. Turin, P. Verhoeve, B. Akinsanmi, Y. Alibert, R. Alonso, D. Bánhidi, T. Bárczy, D. Barrado, S. C.C. Barros, W. Baumjohann, T. Baycroft, T. Beck, W. Benz, B. I. Bíró, A. Bódi, X. Bonfils, L. Borsato, S. Charnoz, B. Cseh, Sz Csizmadia, I. Csányi, P. E. Cubillos, M. B. Davies, Y. T. Davis, M. Deleuil, O. D.S. Demangeon, A. Derekas, G. Dransfield, E. Ducrot, D. Ehrenreich, A. Erikson, C. Fariña, L. Fossati, M. Fridlund, D. Gandolfi, Z. Garai, L. Garcia, M. Gillon, Y. Gómez Maqueo Chew, M. A. Gómez-Muñoz, V. Granata, M. Güdel, P. Guterman, T. Hegedüs, Ch Helling, E. Jehin, Cs Kalup, D. Kilkenny, L. L. Kiss, L. Kriskovics, K. W.F. Lam, J. Laskar, A. Lecavelier Des Etangs, M. Lendl, A. Lopez Pina, A. Luntzer, D. Magrin, N. J. Miller, D. Modrego Contreras, C. Mordasini, M. Munari, C. A. Murray, V. Nascimbeni, H. Ottacher, R. Ottensamer, I. Pagano, A. Pál, E. Pallé, A. Pasetti, P. P. Pedersen, G. Peter, R. Petrucci, G. Piotto, A. Pizarro-Rubio, D. Pollacco, T. Pribulla, D. Queloz, R. Ragazzoni, N. Rando, H. Rauer, I. Ribas, L. Sabin, N. C. Santos, G. Scandariato, N. Schanche, U. Schroffenegger, O. J. Scutt, D. Sebastian, D. Ségransan, B. Seli, A. M.S. Smith, R. Southworth, M. R. Standing, Gy M. Szabó, R. Szakáts, N. Thomas, M. Timmermans, A. H.M.J. Triaud, S. Udry, V. Van Grootel, J. Venturini, E. Villaver, J. Vinkó, N. A. Walton, R. Wells, D. Wolter
Abstract: 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 missiona'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 instrumenta'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 instrumenta's actual performance with expectations. Results. The precision of the CHEOPS measurements has enabled the mission objectives to be met and exceeded. The satellitea'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 missiona's performance. The satellitea's capabilities remain robust, and we are confident that we will continue to acquire high-quality data during the mission extension.
Organisation(s): Department of Astrophysics
External organisation(s): Universität Bern, Stockholm University, Université de Genève, University of Warwick, Keele University, University of St. Andrews, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW), INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Catania, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR), Université de Liège, Science and Operations Department - Science Division (SCI-SC), Aix-Marseille Université, Universidade do Porto, Institute of Astrophysics of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna, Baja Astronomical Observatory, Admatis Ltd., European Space Astronomy Centre (ESA), University of Birmingham, Eötvös Loránd Research Network, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, University of Grenoble Alpes, Osservatorio Astronomico, Université de Paris, INAF-Osservatorio Astrofisico di Torino, Lund University, Eötvös Loránd University Budapest, HUN-REN Hungarian Research Network, Université Paris Saclay, Isaac Newton Group of Telescopes, Leiden University, Chalmers University of Technology, University of Turin, Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, University of Padova, National Institute for Earth Sciences & Astronomy (INSU-CNRS), Technische Universität Graz, University of the Western Cape (UWC), Université de recherche Paris Sciences et Lettres, Université Paris VI - Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, Airbus Defence and Space, Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial, University of Colorado, Boulder, HTC High-Tech-Center AG, University of Cambridge, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Observatorio Astronómico de Córdoba, Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Technische Universität Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Space Studies of Catalonia (IEEC), University of Maryland, College Park, National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA), Open University, University of Szeged
Journal: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Volume: 687
No. of pages: 43
ISSN: 0004-6361
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202348576
Publication date: 07-2024
Peer reviewed: Yes
Austrian Fields of Science 2012: 103003 Astronomy, 103004 Astrophysics, 103038 Space exploration
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Astronomy and Astrophysics, Space and Planetary Science
Portal url: https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/eaf18bab-f6cf-4cfd-b0f3-77ba157ee5b2

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