The SVOM Satellite: System Design, Critical Technologies, and In-orbit Performance Assessment

Abstract

The Space-based multi-band Variable Objects Monitor (SVOM) is a major Sino-French collaborative space science mission designed to detect and rapidly localize various types of gamma-ray bursts. Following its launch on 2024 June 22, the satellite successfully completed its in-orbit commissioning and verification tests by 2025 January. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the SVOM satellite, focusing on its key capabilities: multi-wavelength joint observation, autonomous response, rapid slewing, and high-stability attitude control. The paper particularly emphasizes the attitude control system, which, augmented by the Fine Guidance Sensor, achieves a pointing stability of better than 0.85″ per 100 s. To facilitate space-ground synergy, the satellite employs dual communication links—the Chinese BeiDou short-message system and the French VHF network—to distribute burst alerts in near-real time to ground-based telescopes and other space observatories. Based on in-orbit test data, all platform-level performance metrics meet or exceed their design specifications. The successful validation of the SVOM platform establishes a robust technical foundation for its scientific operations and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Sino-French cooperative framework in advanced space science missions.