Pointing Error Budgeting for High Pointing Accuracy Mission using the Pointing Error Engineering Tool

Recent standardization efforts in Europe have led to the publication of the ECSS Control Performance Standard and the ESA Pointing Error Engineering Handbook, which are instrumental in defining a clear pointing error engineering methodology for ESA projects. To complement and support dissemination of this pointing error engineering methodology, the prototype of a software tool called Pointing Error Engineering Tool has been developed and released under the ESA Software Community License. This paper describes the mathemathical framework and the steps of the methodology for pointing error budgeting that is implemented in the Pointing Error Engineering Tool and highlights the benefits that this tool can provide with respect to traditional conservative approaches, particularly for high pointing accuracy missions. An application example of the use of the Pointing Error Engineering Tool for a representative high pointing accuracy mission is provided to discuss the specific practical issues that may arise during the pointing error engineering process. Finally, the perspective activities to be promoted by ESA in the area of tools for pointing error engineering are outlined.