Test and verification play major roles in the preparation of space missions. Robotic servicing missions, debris removal missions, sample return missions and other close proximity missions require intensive tests of the involved systems and sub-systems.
The European Proximity Operations Simulator (EPOS) 2.0 is a large robotic test facility, developed in 2008/2009. The simulated orbital relative navigation can be used with a variety of optical sensors and target bodies and is integrated into DLR’s end-to-end test infrastructure. By that EPOS 2.0 is able to support test and validation of sensors (open loop), optical guidance, navigation and control systems (closed loop) or on-orbit servicing and related missions (end-to-end). EPOS is part of the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) at the DLR Oberpfaffenhofen.
More information about the Facility Elements, Interfaces, Rooms and Test Campaigns is available in the Service Portfolio Module on the right (see Downloads section).