Towards Automated Constellation Management of Spacecraft – Challenges and Approaches

Paper number

IAC-18,B6,2,2,x42951

Author

Prof. Enrico Stoll, Germany, TU Braunschweig, Institute of Space Systems

Coauthor

Mr. Mohamed Khalil Ben Larbi, Germany, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Aerospace Systems

Coauthor

Mr. Benjamin Grzesik, Germany, Technische Universität Braunschweig

Coauthor

Prof. Sándor Fekete, Germany, TU Braunschweig, Institute of Operating Systems and Computer Networks

Coauthor

Mr. Thomas Haylock, Germany, Planet

Coauthor

Ms. Kattia Flores Pozo, Germany, Planet Labs Inc.

Coauthor

Dr. Mirue Choi, Germany, Planet

Coauthor

Mr. Harald Konstanski, Germany, Planet

Coauthor

Dr. Jesse Eyer, Germany, Planet Labs Inc.

Coauthor

Mr. Christian Schurig, Germany, European Space Agency (ESA)

Year

2018

Abstract

Recent developments have seen a trend towards larger constellations of spacecraft, with some proposals featuring swarms of more than a thousand of satellites. While similar concepts for large constellations already existed in the past, today’s satellite deployments hardly ever feature groups of more than 100 satellites: The world’s largest constellation by Planet currently operates 200+ Dove spacecraft. 

This trend towards considerably larger swarms originates from non-traditional design and operations of spacecraft by non-traditional space companies. The evolution in the space sector, precipitated by new players, is often referred to as “Space 4.0” or “New Space”. It necessitates a rethinking of the way satellites and satellite constellations are planned, designed, and operated. The satellite cannot be considered and operated as an individual anymore, and the management of the system as a whole—with a significant increase in automation—has to come to the fore. 

There are crucial qualitative challenges that arise when moving from moderately-sized groups of individual spacecraft to large-scale constellations. The consequences of this paradigm shift include higher complexity of (i) basic communication tasks and ground resources allocation, (ii) coordination and higher probability of anomalies, (iii) of mission objectives, and (iv) space situational awareness functionalities. 
   
New operational paradigms are needed to enable automatic, optimal task definition, and scheduling in a holistic approach. This papers shows the fundamental challenges that arise when large constellations have to be efficiently operated and automation levels have to be increased. The different automation levels (L1 basic sequential automation, L2 distributed automation, L3 adaptive automation, and L4 mission-aware automation) and their impact on mission operations will be evaluated. 

The paper shows first results of the ASIMOV study (Automated conStellatIon Management Of space Vehicles) with ESA/ESOC and depicts initial approaches for developing appropriate automation strategies by the ASIMOV consortium, consisting of the Institute of Space Systems at TU Braunschweig (TUBS), the Algorithms Group of the Institute of Operating Systems and Computer Networks at TUBS, and Planet Germany.

Abstract document

IAC-18,B6,2,2,x42951.brief.pdf

Manuscript document

(absent)