On the concepts of a highly integrated payload suite for use in future planetary missions: The example of the BepiColombo Mercury planetary orbiter

Abstract Future low resource payload concepts will need to be developed from the viewpoint of a standard integrated payload suite where resources are dramatically reduced through high levels of integration and resource sharing. The study of this approach, its gains together with its limitations was the key objective of this work. The highly compact integration of a specific payload suite was carried out during a reassessment of the technical realisation of all instruments required to form part of the BepiColombo planetary orbiter payload (MPO) for the exploration of Mercury. A study of the heritage of other instruments developed for other missions such as Mars Express and ROSETTA was the precursor to enable identification of typical resource drivers and related problems or technology requirements. Innovative technologies aboard SMART-1 or other technology demonstration reference missions were also taken into account for their potential in miniaturisation without sacrificing performance. In the specific example of the BepiColombo Mercury Planetary Orbiter (MPO) the resource reduction by a Highly Integrated Payload Suite (HIPS) was addressed. Here we give a review on the basic concept and a comparison to the classical approach.