MSR, a Multi-Mission Integrated Solution to Spacecraft Operations Management
- Paper number
IAC-08.C1.4.11
- Author
Mr. Michele Betti, Rhea System S.A., Belgium
- Year
2008
- Abstract
In this paper we propose an integrated solution, developed by Rhea, to the many different issues related to Satellite Control Center (SCC) management. As a matter of fact, it represents one of very few examples of available frameworks offering a complete suite of tools addressing the multifaceted aspects of satellite mission operations, such as schedule preparation, activity logbook maintenance, report compilation, mission documentation management. These issues have most often been solved in semi-manual ways in Satellite MCRs (Main Control Room), usually exploiting simple Office tools or otherwise devised as stand-alone scripts with a very narrow purpose. Moreover, being developed by diverse teams in different times, these separate solutions subsequently need additional ad-hoc layers to be created in order to be able to interface to each other. SCC software solutions very rarely provide tools of their own which monitor activities to be performed and remind spacecraft controllers (Spacons) when activities are due. Besides, execution of operational tasks implies following steps detailed in Flight Operation Procedures (FOP’s) or other manuals. Such instructions are usually only available in printed format and contained in binders that must be searched for the correct document when needed. On the other hand, Rhea proposes MSR, a web-based, Operating System (OS) independent, centralized framework developed for providing an integrated solution for handling these various operational problems. It is a highly customizable system for seamlessly managing multiple missions and spacecraft at the same time, where all actors involved in SCC operations can be assigned one or multiple profiles with access to well-defined functionalities. These profiles can be adapted and customized to the needs of each specific mission. Activity schedules can be created to interface with all information sources (Flight Dynamics events, payload usage schedules, user requests, etc…), and then transferred to Spacons for execution. A Multi-mission activity monitor is part of the infrastructure, which automatically transfers completed tasks to the electronic logbook. Reports can be automatically compiled upon task execution. Each activity can be linked to an operations procedure stored in dedicated repositories. Other periodic reports, whose contents and format are user-defined, can also be created. MSR allows to manage multiple missions concurrently, where each mission can itself be multi-satellite. Missions data are kept in separate RDBMSs, which can themselves be distributed on different hosts. Also, direct connectivity to Satellite Control Center LANs is not strictly necessary, provided that some interface is set up for allowing MSR to access the various information sources it needs for preparing the schedules.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)