BRITE (BRIght Target Explorer) Constellation, the first nanosatellite mission
applied to astrophysical research, is a collaboration among Austria, Canada and
Poland. The fleet of satellites (6 launched, 5 functioning) performs precise
optical photometry of the brightest stars in the night sky. A pioneering
mission like BRITE - with optics and instruments restricted to small volume,
mass and power in several nanosatellites, whose measurements must be
coordinated in orbit - poses many unique challenges. We discuss the technical
issues, including problems encountered during on-orbit commissioning
(especially higher-than expected sensitivity of the CCDs to particle
radiation). We describe in detail how the BRITE team has mitigated these
problems, and provide a complete overview of mission operations. This paper
serves as a template for how to effectively plan, build and operate future
low-cost niche-driven space astronomy missions.

BRITE 探空器联盟是由奥地利、加拿大和波兰合作的第一批用于天体物理研究的纳卫星任务，其技术问题和任务操作过程都在本文中得到详细描述，并提供了一种有效规划、构建和操作未来低成本尖端空间天文任务的模板。