O. Qaise, W. Kruse, Z. Kachri, A. Codazzi

Todays space missions dedicate special importance for designing a ground segment that provides highly available, robust access to the spacecraft while remaining transparent to both data users and ground controllers. A complementary, redundant, and well integrated ground stations network is vital for the space mission success. An emphasis is put on designing the network responsible for the Launch-and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) especially the first contact after launch due to the criticality of the first operations that need to put the satellite to its final destination. The process of designing the ground network is iterative and interrelating as a trade off need to be reached between the ground segment and spacecraft complexity. This generally includes choosing the ground stations locations based on the spacecraft coverage, autonomy and data user needs balanced against cost, accessibility and available communication. Analyzing the link data rates and whether it is adequate to be implemented in the RF chain. Also considering the requirements of data handling and the connection to the control centre, and finally coordinating the configuration, integration, and testing of this network. This paper examines the process of designing the ground station network for the German Radar satellite TerraSAR-X launched in June 2007. Based on the satellite visibility and contractual possibilities with different agencies, different stations over the globe were chosen and integrated into the network. The link budget for the different stations is examined, together with an account for the different scenarios that may arise during the first acquisition and how to ensure that telemetry/telecommand margin is sufficient to maintain the link with the satellite by tuning different factors. The communication interfaces between those stations and GSOC are presented. And finally a timeline of the events experienced during the first days of LEOP are introduced. The troubleshooting of different scenarios together with a discussion of how to avoid such situations provides a valuable practical core of the paper.

Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2009, Aachen

Conference Paper

englisch

21,0 x 29,7 cm, 6 Seiten

DGLR-Bericht, 2009, 2009-04, Deutscher Luft- und Raumfahrtkongress 2009 - Tagungsband - Ergänzung; S.1-6; 2009; Deutsche Gesellschaft für Luft- und Raumfahrt - Lilienthal-Oberth e.V., Bonn

NA

in getr. Zählung;

raumfahrt

Bestellbar

2010