Mission Control Concepts for Robotic Operations: Existing approaches and new Solutions

This paper gives a preliminary overview on activities within the currently ongoing Mission Control Concepts for Robotic Operations (MICCRO) study. The aim of the MICCRO study is to reveal commonalities in the operations of past, current and future robotic space missions in order to find an abstract, representative mission control concept applicable to multiple future missions with robotic systems involved. The existing operational concepts, responsibilities and information flows during the different mission phases are taken into account. A particular emphasis is put on the possible interaction between different autonomous components (on-board and on-ground), their synchronisation and the possible shift of autonomy borders during different mission phases

ON-ORBIT SERVICING MISSIONS AT DLR / GSOC

The German Space Operation Centre (GSOC) is presently involved in the preparation of two On-Orbit Servicing Missions DEOS and OLEV which are presented in this paper. Additionally, we describe potential applications for this mission including space debris removal. Since there are many new challenges in the context of Rendezvous & Docking manoeuvres the ground segment design requires new concepts. We present our solutions in the field of Approach Navigation and Teleoperation. Finally, an integrated system test including GSOC’s new European Proximity Operations Simulator (EPOS) facility is described

Operations of On-Orbit Servicing Missions

This chapter gives a comprehensive insight into the operational aspects of On-Orbit Servicing as well as rendezvous and docking missions. By means of several examples, the operational challenges are explained, and solutions are outlined. The orbit mechanics of a rendezvous mission is described in the local orbital frame. We use the Clohessy-Wiltshire equations to explain the different elements of the approach navigation. The influence of the sensor technology on the approach strategy is also discussed. In the context of robotic capture, we address the necessary changes in the communication concept, e.g., to ensure teleoperation. Finally, we describe the use of test and validation facilities for the critical maneuvers of a rendezvous and docking mission

Optical Feeder Link From Antarctic Latidudes

Polar Ground Stations play an important role in the context of data reception from earth observation satellites. However, there are significant challenges associated with the repatriation of these large amounts of data from Antarctic stations to the user. The EFAL (EDRS Feeder Link from Antarctic Latitudes) study examines the possibility of optical data transmission from Antarctica via the upcoming operational European Data Relay System (EDRS) into the European data network. The technical feasibility of the connection will be analysed. It mainly depends on two conditions: The first is the effect of turbulent atmosphere on the laser connection at extremely low elevations of approximately 9 degrees; the second condition is the availability of an optical link, which is determined by the cloud statistics. Both aspects are examined for an exemplary location in Antarctica

Spacecraft operations

The book describes the basic concepts of spaceflight operations, for both, human and unmanned missions. The basic subsystems of a space vehicle are explained in dedicated chapters, the relationship of spacecraft design and the very unique space environment are laid out. Flight dynamics are taught as well as ground segment requirements. Mission operations are divided into preparation including management aspects, execution and planning. Deep space missions and space robotic operations are included as special cases. The book is based on a course held at the German Space Operation Center (GSOC)

The Road to on-board Crew Autonomy: Using ISS' Columbus Module as the Basis for Ground Procedure Automation

Future human exploration missions require new concepts of operations since the international roadmap foresees stations with uncrewed periods (e.g. Lunar Gateway) and deep space missions with communication delays making real-time monitoring and control impossible (e.g. any vehicle on its way to or in orbit of Mars). As part of the commitment to achieve human presence in lunar orbit and prepare for missions to Mars, the goal for future operations is to become independent from ground and enable crews to live and work autonomously. However, as a first step towards on-board crew autonomy, the ground segment itself needs to be automated and its functions eventually transferred on-board. For this purpose, this paper introduces a novel tool, based on Columbus operations, conducted at the Columbus Control Center (COL-CC), allowing the interaction between scheduled activities and the commanding infrastructure, by automatically generating a command sequence, transferring the command sequence to the operators' command interface for inspection and approval, and finally sending the commands to the receiver for execution. This tool is implemented as a ground prototype, in order to show how ground operations can be automated and how such a tool can ultimately lead to increased crew autonomy

The Road to On-Board Crew Autonomy: Using ISS’ Columbus Module as Basis for Ground Procedure Automation

Future human exploration missions require new concepts of operations since the international roadmap foresees stations with uncrewed periods (e.g. Lunar Gateway) and deep space missions with communi cation delays making real-time monitoring and control impossible (e.g. any station on its way to or in orbit of Mars). As part of the commitment to achieve human presence in Lunar orbit and prepare for missions to Mars, the goal for future operations is to become independent from ground and enable crews to live and work autonomously. However, as a first step towards on-board crew autonomy, the ground segment itself needs to be automated and its functions transferred on-board. For this purpose, this pa per introduces a novel tool, based on Columbus Operations, conducted at the Columbus Control-Center (COL-CC), allowing the interaction between scheduled activities and the commanding infrastructure, by automatically generating a command sequence, transferring the command sequence to the operators’ command interface for inspection and approval, and finally sending the commands to the receiver for execution. This tool is implemented as an on-board version, as well as an on-ground prototype

On-Orbit Servicing Missions: Challenges and Solutions for Spacecraft Operations

The DLR German Space Operations Center (GSOC) is currently involved in the preparation of two On-Orbit Servicing missions, DEOS and OLEV. Due to the many new challenges within those missions the ground segment design requires new concepts. Accordingly, the paper presents the challenges and solutions regarding the communication architecture including teleoperation and extended contact time. Additionally, we discuss a method of vision based navigation which bridges the gap between absolute and purely geometric navigation. Finally, an integrated system test including GSOC’s new EPOS facility is described