Autonomy for Spacecraft Ground Control Systems - A case Study for Indian remote Sensing Satellite Systems

Paper number

IAC-08.C1.4.5

Author

Mr. T. Parimalarangan, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India

Year

2008

Abstract

Satellite Control Center (SCC) at ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC/ISRO) is engaged in satellite housekeeping and control of Low-Earth Orbiting (LEO) Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) / Scientific Satellites.  LEO satellite operations are characterized by short visibility durations and demand for quick response from the spacecraft controller to conduct operations in real-time. This involves comprehensive subsystem health check during real-time and offline for the confirmation of satellite’s good health, subsystem degradation and anomaly identification. 

Autonomy in Spacecraft ground control system for LEO spacecraft operations is aimed at automating the satellite subsystem health monitoring, satellite house keeping and payload command sequence generation and uplinking to the satellite, assistance to the spacecraft controller in problem identification, fast access to the pre-defined operational procedures and in generating appropriate command sequence. 

Satellite operations assistance module provides the quick reference for the current satellite configuration and access to the pre-defined satellite information and control procedures. Automated satellite health check module checks the subsystem house keeping parameters values for the expected status, limit checking and model-based trend analysis. Anomaly identification module indicates the deviation in satellite health parameters and provides the root cause of the anomaly. Anomaly recovery module provides the recovery procedures and command sequences for the identified anomalies. Automated command sequence operation has two modules: command planner to generate the pass wise planned command sequence, based on mission operations planning and schedule. After authentication of command sequence, command execute module uplinks the authorized command sequences. This paper describes the level autonomy achieved in Spacecraft ground control system for Indian Remote Sensing Satellite operations.

Abstract document

IAC-08.C1.4.5.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.C1.4.4.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.