Space Communication Concepts for Remotely Operated Systems
- Paper number
IAC-06-B3.1.02
- Author
Dr. Peter Hofmann, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Dr. Wolfgang Griethe, Kayser-Threde GmbH, Germany
- Coauthor
Mr. H. Dodel, Germany
- Year
2006
- Abstract
Today space and robotic systems are characterized mainly by a high degree of onboard autonomy, however there is still a need for human control to supervise the process, whether in mission-critical situations or for experimental and mission reasons. The main supervision task consists of communicating the actual situation at the remote worksite, from space to ground or indeed vice versa. However, teleoperation is always hampered either due to limited line-of-sight of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) or due to time delays imposed by radio wave propagation over long distances to satellites in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) from communication nodes on the ground. These phenomena have an impact on any kind of telerobotics application irrespective of whether it is for in-orbit servicing, planetary exploration, telemedicine or any other purpose. The paper discusses system and key technologies as well as communication concepts for remotely operated systems. Examples to be discussed are predicted displays, steerable antennas, intersatellite links, satellite constellations and the design of onboard systems. Precursor concepts designed by Kayser-Threde and its partners shall be described and consist of: ROKVISS, a robot operated on the Russian segment of the ISS via a direct S-band communication link, CX-OLEV, an orbital life extension vehicle to service geostationary communication spacecraft and TECSAS, a technology demonstration mission for approaching and docking of non-cooperative client spacecraft in LEO.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-B3.1.02.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
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