The NASA Goddard Space Science Mission Operations project (SSMO) is performing a technical cost-benefit analysis for centralizing and consolidating operations of a diverse set of missions into a unified and integrated technical infrastructure. The presentation will focus on the notion of normalizing spacecraft operations processes, workflows, and tools. It will also show the processes of creating a standardized open architecture, creating common security models and implementations, interfaces, services, automations, notifications, alerts, logging, publish, subscribe and middleware capabilities. The presentation will also discuss how to leverage traditional capabilities, along with virtualization, cloud computing services, control groups and containers, and possibly Big Data concepts

Burns, Rich

Ido, Haisam

NASA Technical Reports Server

European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) 
Technical Challenges and Opportunities 
of Centralizing 
Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO)
at 
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Haisam Ido
Systems Engineer
haisam.ido@nasa.gov
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Space Science Mission Operations
Honeywell Technology Solutions Inc.
Rich Burns
Project Manager
rich.burns@nasa.gov
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Space Science Mission Operations
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20150011113 2019-08-31T07:33:31+00:00Z
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Where is Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO) ?
2
SSMO
source: http://fpd.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/400orgchart.pdf
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
SSMO Organization
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source: http://fpd.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/400orgchart.pdf
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
What is Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO)? (1/2)
• SSMO operates, manages, administers and processes science data 
for NASA space science missions for which GSFC is responsible
• SSMO is involved in the operations concept development, ground 
system development, integration and test, and operations readiness 
preparations for those missions it will manage in the operations 
phase.
• Spacecraft operations encompasses: 
• flight operations (planning, scheduling, real time operations, 
automation, monitoring, etc.)
• instrument operations 
• spacecraft sustaining engineering
• ground system sustaining engineering
• anomaly management 
• risk management
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European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
• SSMO currently manages the full mission operations for 
18 space science missions
• 7 are operated at GSFC 
• 11 are operated at control centers at industrial and 
university partners  
• SSMO missions are diverse
• heritage/launch date
• orbit regime
• bus type
• mission profile
• communication networks
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What is Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO)? (2/2)
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
SSMO Spacecraft in Operations
Mission Launch 
Year
MOC Location Science Type # s/c Orbit Regime Catalog #
ACE 1997 GSFC Heliophysics 1 L1 N/A
AIM 2007 LASP Heliophysics 1 LEO 31304
ARTEMIS* 2007 UC Berkeley Heliophysics 2 P1, lunar orbit; P2,
Lunar Lagrange Point 1
30581, 30582
Fermi 2008 GSFC Astrophysics 1 LEO 33053
IBEX 2008 Orbital Heliophysics 1 HEO (T = 9 days) 33401
IRIS 2013 ARC Heliophysics 1 LEO
LRO 2009 GSFC Planetary (Lunar) 1 Lunar Orbit N/A
MAVEN 2013 LM - Denver Planetary 1 Mars Orbit N/A
MMS 2015 GSFC Heliophysics 4 HEO
Van Allen Probes (RBSP) 2012 APL Heliophysics 2 HEO 38752, 38753
RHESSI 2002 UC Berkeley Heliophysics 1 LEO 27370
SDO 2010 GSFC Heliophysics 1 GEO 36395
SOHO** 1995 GSFC Heliophysics 1 L1 n/a
STEREO 2006 APL Heliophysics 2 Heliocentric n/a
Swift 2004 Penn State Astrophysics 1 LEO 28485
THEMIS 2007 UC Berkeley Heliophysics 3 HEO 305880, 30584, 30585
TIMED 2001 APL Heliophysics 1 LEO 26998
WIND 1994 GSFC Heliophysics 1 L1 n/a
6
* ARTEMIS is a bifurcation of the THEMIS extended mission.
** SOHO is a cooperative program between ESA and NASA.
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Why centralize operations?
• Generally GSFC builds and maintains a different operation center per mission 
• Consider whether centralization would enhance efficiency
• What are the costs and benefits of centralization, consolidation and/or 
integration of a diverse set of operation centers, interfaces, services and 
processes
• There is no traditional or modern technical barriers to developing a centralized 
capability
• Operational efficiencies may be significantly enhanced with centralization and 
integration
• May require significant investments in infrastructure
• Existence proofs exist:
• ACE, Wind, and TRACE (until decommissioning) were all operated from 
SSMO's Multi-Mission Operations Center (MMOC)
• new centralization paradigms are enabled by modern technologies
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European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015. 8
Data and Product Management
● Receiving
● Archiving
● Retrieving
● Modeling 
● Trending
● Visualizing
● Distributing
2
Flight Dynamics
● Maneuver planning, execution and 
reconstruction
● Orbit Estimation + Control
● Attitude Estimation + Control
3
Telemetry, Tracking & Commanding (TT&C)1
Change and Configuration Management
● Documentation & Procedures
● Spacecraft Configurations
● Ground Segment Configurations
● Software Configurations
● Server Configurations
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Scheduling and Planning
● Instrument Activities
● Maneuvers
● Antenna Availability
● AOS/LOS
● Shadows
● Sun/Moon Interference
● Ranging
5
Subsystems Management
● Command and Data Handling (C&DH)
● Guidance Navigation and Control 
(GN&C)
● Instrument Subsystem
● Payload Subsystem
● Power Subsystem
● Propulsion Subsystem
● Thermal Subsystem
4
Automation Management
Notification Management
Logging Management
Voice Management
6
Information Assurance/Information Security7
plus Continuity of Operations of all these functions
SSMO Operations’ Functions
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Challenges and Opportunities
Contractual
Operational
Governance
Organizational
Technical
“Cultural”
9
not discussed in this 
presentation
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Challenges in Centralizing Operations 
• Cultural
• The mode of one operations center per mission has been effectively utilized in the past, i.e. it is 
proven
• Tendency to utilize heritage architectures, tools, methodologies
• Are the benefits substantial enough to merit the investment/risk?
• Governance
• Governance is generally tied to the Flight Project
• Who governs a shared/centralized set of resources?
• Operational
• Operations is performed independently of other spacecraft operations
• Cross spacecraft and subsystems training is not common
• Technical
• Although many operation centers leverage very similar software and hardware yet they tend to 
implement different architectures
• Risk averse to newer methodologies and technologies
• Programmatic 
• Requires initial investment
• What flight project is willing to "be first" (and assume cost/risk)?
10
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Opportunities in Centralizing Operations 
• Cultural
• Familiarize staff with possible enhancements to current approaches and methodologies
• Create a more diverse and engaging place of work
• Create more opportunities for collaboration
• Governance
• Must enable freedom of choice while influencing/incentivizing standardization
• Operational
• Perform spacecraft operations, with all SSMO spacecraft in mind, e.g. scheduling, etc.
• Train core staff across all spacecraft and subsystems
• Normalize workflows and procedures
• Technical
• Continue to leverage similar software and hardware and normalize architectures and 
configurations
• Configure applications to be multi-tenant, when and where possible
• Shared infrastructure and overhead functionality (e.g. IT Security)
• Programmatic
• Establish compelling business case or discover that one does not exist
• So what would centralized operations look like compared to current modes?
11
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Current and Future Operations Environments
12
Current
Characteristics
● One mission in one center*
● Unique infrastructure
● Unique product formats
● Custom networking interfaces
● Custom workflows
● Custom procedures
● Custom security implementations
● Dedicated hardware and software
● Dedicated staff
● Localized lessons-learned
Consequences
● Increased cost
● Replication of effort
● Lower efficiency
*: ACE & WIND are together in one operations center
Future**
Characteristics
● Multiple-missions in one center
● Shared infrastructure
● Shared product formats
● Shared networking interfaces
● Shared workflows
● Shared procedures
● Shared security implementations
● Shared hardware and software
● Shared core staff
● Shared lessons-learned
Consequences
● Reduction of costs in the long-term
● Reduction of effort in the long-term
● Improved efficiency in the long-term
**: One possible path
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
• Commonality & Integration
• Integrated Situational Awareness
• Common User Experience  (UX)
• Common User Interfaces (UI)
• Common Standards & Specifications
• Common Workflows & Operating Procedures
• Common Services & Interfaces
• as a Service approach (aaS)
• Web Services
8
• Shared Security
• Shared Risk
5
• Broader Collaboration
• Shared Governance Body
4
13
• Software
• Simultaneous Multi-Execute without Interference 
(for Specific Functions)
• Shared Provisioning System
• Shared Version Control System
• Shared Applications & Tools
• Shared datastores and databases
7
• Hardware & Computing
• Shared Computing
• Shared Physical Machines
• Shared Virtual Machines
• Shared Cloud Services
• Shared Memory Storage
• Shared Storage
6
• Physical Facility
• Shared Floor space
• Shared Rack space(s)
• Shared Terminals
• Shared Electrical power
• Shared HVAC
• Shared LANs & WANs
• Shared Interface Testing
3
• Project Management
• Shared Configuration Management
• Shared Document Management System
• Shared Documents
• Shared Knowledge
• Shared Lessons Learned
• Shared Cost
• Shared Procedures
2
• Personnel Resources
• Shared Human Resources 
• Shared Skills
• Shared Expertise
1
Future Operations Environment** (continued)
**: One possible path
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Technologies, Architectures and Goals To Consider (1/5)
• Traditional Infrastructure Technologies
• Computing, Clustering, Redundancy, Storage, Networking
• Contemporary Services
• Web services
• Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)
• Platform as a Service (PaaS)
• Software as a Service (SaaS)
• Software Defined Networks (SDN)
• Derivable Services such as Ground Segment as a Service (GSaaS)
• TT&C as a Service (TTCaaS)
• Mission Planning and Scheduling as a Service (MPSaaS)
• Space Flight Dynamics as a Service (SFDaaS)
• Database as a Service (DBaaS)
• Data as a Service (DaaS)
• Load Balancing as a Service (LBaaS)
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European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Architectural Goals
• Scalable
• Extensible
• Maintainable
• Based on open standards
• Based on an open architecture
• Can run on virtualized or physical machines
• Leverage physical machines, virtual machines and cloud services
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Technologies, Architectures and Goals To Consider (2/3)
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Hybrid Cloud
Commercial 
Cloud 
Services
Private 
Cloud
Traditional
Traditional
Physical 
Machines
Traditional
Virtual 
Machines
Physical Networks and Software Defined Networks (SDN)
Operations Center
Technologies, Architectures and Goals To Consider (3/5)
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
3.0
Integrated Telemetry 
System
5.0
Integrated Flight 
Dynamics System
Integrated Ground 
Segment Control 
System
4.0
Integrated Planning & 
Scheduling System
FDS (n)
FDS (n)
FDS (1)
FDS (1)
2.0
Integrated TT&C 
System
9.0
Integrated Events & 
Alarms System
8.0
Integrated Graphical 
Bus System
6.0
Integrated 
Automation System
TT&C (1)
TT&C (1)
TT&C (m)
TT&C (m)
…
7.0
Integrated Data & 
Product Distribution 
Service
Integrated Document 
Management System
Integrated 
Configuration 
Management System
… … …
Integrated User 
Management System
1.0 Integrated Message Bus
Denotes, out of scope
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Technologies, Architectures and Goals To Consider (4/5)
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015. 18
Conjunction 
Data
(CDM)
Orbit Data 
(ODM)
Pointing 
Request
(PRM)
Spacecraft 
Maneuver
(SMM)
Spacecraft 
Perturbations
(SPM)
Tracking Data
(TDM)
Attitude Data
(ADM)
Telemetric & 
Command 
Exchange
(XTCe)
CCSDS Messages 
Following CCSDS 
Standards
& Recommendations
Message Bus and Web Service Layer
Application Specific Layers
P
re
se
n
ta
ti
o
n
 L
ay
e
r
Applications
Technologies, Architectures and Goals To Consider (5/5)
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Architectures, Standards & Specifications to leverage
Goddard Mission Services Evolution Center (GMSEC)
• GMSEC API
• GMSEC System Agent (SA)
• GMSEC Criteria Action Table (CAT)
• GMSEC Alert Notification System Router (ANSR) 
• GMSEC Environment Diagnostic Tool (GEDAT)
• GMSEC Reusable Events Analysis Toolkit (GREAT)
CCSDS
• Mission Operations Services (MOS)
• Telemetric & Command Exchange (XTCe)
• Tracking Data Message (TDM)
• Orbit Data Message (ODM)
• Attitude Data Message (ADM)
• Conjunction Data Message (CDM)
• Spacecraft Maneuver Message (SMM)
• Spacecraft Perturbations Message (SPM)
• Pointing Request Message (PRM)
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European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Notional Potential Approach
https://vpn.nasa.gov/mission/provisioning&spacecraft=NEW
File Edit View Help………
Spacecraft ID
TT&C System
Ops Center MOC
Save for later
123098 Spacecraft Name One
ASSIST ITOS
FDS & ADCS GMAT GTDS STK
Spacecraft Bus Bus 12
Data Trending DAT
Data Distribution DDSNetworks DSN NEN SN
LANs EBNet RIONetIONet
Security Level FISMA Medium
Telemetry CCSDS
Save & Next
Planning & 
Scheduling
MPS MMS
SEN
20
Provisioning & Orchestration of a New Ground Segment Infrastructure
European Ground System Architecture Workshop (ESAW 2015) at the European Space Operations Centre, Darmstadt, Germany, 16-17 June 2015.
Thank you!
21


Technical Challenges and Opportunities of Centralizing Space Science Mission Operations (SSMO) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

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