Objectives and Goals: Maintain and operate the POIC and support integrated Space Station command and control functions. Provide software and hardware systems to support ISS payloads and Shuttle for the POIF cadre, Payload Developers and International Partners. Provide design, development, independent verification &validation, configuration, operational product/system deliveries and maintenance of those systems for telemetry, commanding, database and planning. Provide Backup Control Center for MCC-H in case of shutdown. Provide certified personnel and systems to support 24x7 facility operations per ISS Program. Payloads CoFR Implementation Plan (SSP 52054) and MSFC Payload Operations CoFR Implementation Plan (POIF-1006)

Ijames, Gayleen N.

NASA Technical Reports Server

1International Space Station
Payload Operations Integration Center
(POIC) Overview
Gayleen Ijames
MSFC/ Mission Operations Lab
EO05/Mission Systems Operations
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20130000685 2019-08-30T23:32:06+00:00Z
2• PURPOSE
– Primary facility and systems responsible for 24x7 real-time ISS payload operations 
management, integration, and control
• GOALS & OBJECTIVES
– Maintain and operate the POIC and support integrated Space Station command and control 
functions
– Provide software and hardware systems to support ISS payloads and Shuttle for the POIF 
cadre, Payload Developers and International Partners 
– Provide design, development, independent verification &validation, configuration, operational 
product/system deliveries and maintenance of those systems for telemetry, commanding, 
database and planning
– Provide Backup Control Center for MCC-H in case of shutdown
– Provide certified personnel and systems to support 24x7 facility operations per ISS Program 
Payloads CoFR Implementation Plan (SSP 52054) and MSFC Payload Operations CoFR
Implementation Plan (POIF-1006)
POIC Purpose, Goals & Objectives
3Payload Operations Integration Center
POIC provides facilities and ground systems 
infrastructure for ISS payload operations: 
–Telemetry
–Command
–Operational Info Management Systems
–Payload Planning Systems
–Voice
–Video
–HOSC Power Outage Contingency 
(4207 Annex)
Services
• Host Payload Operations Integration Function (POIF)
• Remote operations to globally distributed Payload Developers and 
International Partners
• Backup Control Center for Houston
• Payload science data distribution and archive 
• Critical services availability 99.5% or greater
Configuration Control
• POIC utilizes the Ground Segment Control Board (GSCB) to control 
Interface Control Documents with remote facilities 
Certification of Flight Readiness
• POIC provides the facility, systems and International Partner 
interfaces certification readiness to the POIF
4ISS Payload Operations Distributed Architecture, 
POIC Services and External Interfaces 
Commands, Uplinks
ISS
P/L Ops 
Integration
Center
Mission
Control
Center-
Houston
Planning Products, Voice, Ops Mgmt, Other
Commands, Uplinks,
Voice
Payload/Kuband 
& Vehicle 
Telemetry
GRC
ARC
JSC
Russia
Europe
Japan
Italy
Canada
Planning Products, Voice, Ops Mgmt, Other
US Payload Commands, Uplinks
Payload/Kuband & Ancillary Telemetry
White Sands Complex, New Mexico
International
Partner
Facilities &
Users
NASA
Telescience
Support
Centers
US
Payload
User Sites
Vehicle Telemetry, Voice, 
Video
JSC MCC to 
International
Partner
Services
Global Customer Support
Internet 
POIC S/W Capability Provided Remotely Payload (P/L) User Support Operational Function Provided
• Telescience Resource Kit (TReK) P/L-Unique Command/Telemetry Processing
• Internet Voice Distribution System (IVoDS) Mission Voice Services For Ground Operator and Onboard Crew Comm
• Enhanced HOSC System (EHS) PC (EPC) S/W System-Wide POIC ISS P/L Operations Telemetry/Command Services Access
• POIC Web Services POIC Operations Planning, Integration & Stored Telemetry Data Access
• JSC MCC-H S/W Tools Onboard Crew Procedures & Operations Timeline Access
Mission TLM/CMD
Databases from
MBF, IMARS,
PDL/PEI, STS
ICD
ICDICD
ICD
ICD
ICDICDICDICD
ICDICDICD
ICD
PGUIDD IFSIFS
IFS
ICD
IFS
PGUIDD
I/F Control Document
I/F Specs/Agreements
POIC/Generic User I/F
Definition Document
PRCU
(MSFC,
GRC, KSC)
MSFC PSIVF,
JSC SSTF/PTC,
JSC ISIL/SDIL
JSC ESTL
ICD IFS
IFS
IFS
ICD
TLM/CMD
Databases
Simulation,
Test Data
P/L Developer
Teams
IT Service & Comm. 
Support Rqmts
[GSRT]
RQMTS
RQMTS Requirements
BCC
Commands, 
Uplinks,
Voice
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5HOSC Supported Remote Sites
GSFC
NASA Center Commercial Facility 
Foreign Location University
KSC
MSFCJPL
GRC
University of California San Diego, CA
University of Alabama
Birmingham
University of Colorado, CO
Boeing, WA
California Institution of Technology
California
Mass. Institute of Technology, MA
Assurance Tech Corp - Carlisle,  MA
JSC Telescience Support Center, TX
JSC Mission Control Center-Houston, TX
Wyle Labs, TX
Lockheed Martin, TX
Boeing Vehicle Support Room, TX
Coherent Logix - Austin, TX
Canadian Payload Telescience Operation Center
Canada
Norwegian User Science 
Operations Center, Norway
DAMEC, User Science Operations Center, Denmark
ESA’s Moscow Operations Support Center, Russia
Houston Support Room, Russia
Mission Control Center-Moscow, Russia
Alenia Aerospazio , Italy
University or Rome, Italy
Italian Space Agency User Science 
Operations Center , Italy
ESA’s Belgium User Science Operations Center, Belgium
ZARM University of Bremen, Germany
European Aerospace and Defense Systems ,Germany
European Astronaut Center, Germany
European Space Operations Center, Germany
ESA’s Columbus Control Center, Germany
University of Paris, France
ESA Automated Transfer Vehicle Control Center, France
CADMOS User Science Operations Center, France 
ESA’s Spanish User Science 
Operations Center, Spain
European Space & Technology Center, The Netherlands
Space Station Integration & Program Center, Japan
H2 Transfer Vehicle Control Center, Japan
University of Maryland, MD
Naval Research Laboratory, D.C.Portland State University, OR
Sandia National Labs, NM
Air Force Research Lab, OH.
Lockheed Martin, PA
European Organization for Nuclear Research 
(CERN), Geneva, Switzerland
6Northeastern University, MA.  Harvard University, MA.  Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MA.  Princeton     
University, N.J.  University of California at San Diego, CA.  University of Wisconsin, WI.  University of Alabama 
at Birmingham, AL.  California Institute of Technology, CA.  University of Colorado, CO.  Colorado School of 
Mines, CO.  University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Henry Ford Health Clinic, MI.  Payload Systems, MA.  Lerner Research, OH.  Intek Inc., WI.  National Institute of 
Health, MD.  Boeing Vehicle Support Room, TX.  Wyle Labs, TX .  Boeing, WA.  Lockheed Martin, TX.  Orbitec, 
WI.  Hamilton Sundstrand, CT.  Chandra Operations Control Center, MA.
European Astronaut Center, GERMANY  Canadian  Payload Telescience Operation Center, CANADA  ESA's       
Norwegian User Science Operations Center, NORWAY  ESA's Belgium User Science Operations Center, BELGIUM 
 ESA's Moscow Operations Support, RUSSIA  University of Paris, FRANCE  University of Rome, ITALY 
German  Sports University, GERMANY  European Space Operations Center, GERMANY  European Space and 
Technology Center, The NETHERLANDS  University of Waterloo, CANADA  Thomson & Nielson Electronics, 
CANADA  ESA's Columbus Control Center, GERMANY  JAXA's SSIPC, JAPAN  Damec, DENMARK  Italian 
Space Agency, ITALY  ESA's Spanish User Science Operations Center, SPAIN  Houston 
Support Room, RUSSIA                                                             Mission Control Center-Moscow, Russia  European 
Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), Geneva Switzerland
JSC Telescience Support Center  JSC DOD Payload Operations Control Center  JSC Build 4S Crew Office 
JSC Space Station Training Facility  JSC SSCC/Bio Med Support  JSC Increment Scientist Support  MSFC 
United States Operations Control Center  MSFC Payload Software Integration & Verification (Boeing)  MSFC 
Regenerative ECLSS Support Room  GRC Telescience Support Center  AMES Telescience Support Center  JPL 
Earthkam Project Support  KSC Space Life Sciences Lab  KSC Florida State Research Institute  KSC Space 
Station Processing Facility KSC Boeing  GSFC SEM Payload Operations  Backup Advisory Team (remote 
locations)  Jacob Sverdrup, Engineering and Science Contract Group, Houston, Texas (PIMS, OSTPV/MPV, Voice) N
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HOSC General: HOSC Supported Remote Sites
7
7
POIC IT Security
• POIC provides secure/encrypted support/gateway services
– Meets requirements specified in NPR 2810, including protection for vehicle and crew
– Provides protection: between payload users; separates payload users from core systems operations; 
protects ISS from network/hacker/denial-of-services attacks
– Requires significant/ongoing diligence in maintaining acceptable security posture of systems
– Cost savings to Program
• Remote ISS Payload users/sites
– Remote services encapsulated within COTS Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology, with upper 
level network, firewall, operating system and application level protections
Globally 
Distributed
Remote 
Payload 
Users &
Facilities
International Space
Station (ISS)
SCIENCE OPERATIONS
POIC Integration/Services For Remote Users
Payload Command Uplink Gateway,
Downlink Vehicle/Payload Telemetry Distribution,
Voice Comm Control, Data Transfer Services, 
Planning Services, Information Systems, etc
8POIC Tools and Services
9POIC Tools and Services
10
Overall Systems and Interfaces for ISS Payloads
POIC/USOC Realtime Systems
• Data Systems
• Telemetry Processing Services
• Command Processing Services
• Scripting Services
• Data Base Services
• Procedures/Document
Development & Config Mgmt
• Timeliner Ground Compiler
• Mission Execution Forms 
(Ops Chg Requests (OCRs))
• COTS Services
• Voice & Video Services
• External Data Comm Interfaces
Remote User Facilities:
• International Partners 
(IP) Facilities
• US User Telescience
Support Centers (TSC’s)
• Payload Developer Sites
• Payload Rack Checkout 
Unit (PRCU)
Payload Control Room (PCR),
Short Term Plan (STP),
Mission Manager Area (MMA),
& USOC User Ops Area (UOA)
Rooms/Consoles
Accommodations for
USOC User Ground 
Support Equipment
(GSE)
External
System 
Interfaces:
• JSC Space
Station Control
Center (SSCC)
•  Tracking And
Data Relay
Satellite (TDRS)
System (TDRSS)
• NASA Integrated
Services Network
(NISN)
PDSS (Telemetry Distribution)
• Realtime P/L Data Distribution
• 2 Year P/L Data Storage and
Retrieval
Huntsville Operations
Support Center (HOSC)
Facility
PPS (Planning Systems)
• Experiment Utilization
Planning, Allocation, &
Scheduling Services
Accommod ns In
US ps Ctr (USOC) For 
User-Provided Ground 
Support Equipment
(GSE)
IIGOR
1
2
3
4
11
Telemetry Distribution
Payload Data Services System (PDSS) (Box 1)
• PDSS Realtime Services
– Receive and process ISS payload (Ku-band) and core systems (S-band) CCSDS 
telemetry streams; embedded video and audio discarded 
– Distribute to local/remote users/systems (POIC, International Partners, US 
Users/Telescience Centers, US Ops Center Ground Support Equip)
– Receive test/simulation data from other external sources (e.g., JSC Space Station 
Training Facility) for distribution
– Collect and report statistics on users’ downlink data 
– Provides intermediate capability for realtime data buffering
• PDSS Non-Realtime Services
– Store ISS payload/science data, payload health and status, flight ancillary data, and 
data quality statistics 
– Retain for up to 2 years 
– Web access for user-requested “data sets” 
• Playback
• File transfer
– Data processing reports
12
Realtime Systems (Box 2)
• Data Acquisition and 
Distribution
– Front-End Processor (FEP) 
acquires and distributes Time 
Division Multiplexed (TDM) 
telemetry to other systems
• Telemetry Processing Server-
Based Functions
– Receive/process packet data 
from POIC FEP and PDSS
– Raw telemetry data stored for 
recall
– Web-based user interface to 
request telemetry measurement 
reports and packet/stream 
playbacks
– Telemetry extraction, 
conversion, calibration, and 
limit/expected state sensing
• Command/Telemetry Database Services 
– Input and conversion of project unique 
telemetry/command databases into POIC 
compatible format
– Web-based user interface 
– Multiple databases processed per 
flight/increment 
• Preliminary, interim and final versions 
• Backup Control Center (BCC)
• Command Processing Server-Based 
Functions 
– Vehicle/Payload commanding for users with 
all command transactions logged
– Hazardous command operations system 
design (certified by JSC Safety Office)
– Command database partitioned by users with 
facility controls to enable/disable
– Secure remote facility/user programmatic 
command services
13
• Exception Monitoring:
- Provides for continuous automated 
monitoring of user-selected telemetry 
data to indicate Caution & Warning 
(C&W), Redline, Expected State, and 
Delta Limit violations; with associated 
textual message output.
• EHS PC (EPC) Scripting:
- Provides user capability to easily build, 
validate and operate scripts for 
monitoring telemetry; and initiate 
conditional/automated responses 
(including Command update/uplink).
• EPC Computation Services:
- Provides user capability to easily build, 
validate, and execute comps on 
telemetry, with outputs available locally 
or globally to other users. Comps 
supported on servers or locally on PC.
• EPC Display Services:
- Provides capability for users to easily 
generate, validate, and operate displays 
containing text/graphical telemetry 
representations and background 
information; with input support for 
command uplinks, scripting directives, etc.
• EPC/Workstation Command Services:
- Provides capability for user to uplink 
commands/command groups/files, in 
addition to updating modifiable 
commands/command groups from user-
defined forms. Provides command system 
visibility including command track, 
command history, and command delog
support.
Realtime Systems (Box 2) (cont)
14
• Payload Information Management System 
(PIMS)
– Electronic/online operations request 
and processing services provided for 
Operations Change Requests 
(OCR’s)
– Mission documentation configuration 
management, notification and 
distribution services
– Timeliner Ground Compiler automated 
procedures development 
– Storage and configuration 
management of files 
uplinked/downlinked
– Web-based user interface
• ISS Unique Operations Control 
Management System (OCMS) Tools
– File Ground Mgmt Tool (FGMT) 
– Automated Procedures Ground Mgmt
Tool (APGMT)
– Command Plan Mgmt Tool (CPMT)
– Timeliner Master Bundle Generator 
(MBGEN)
Realtime Systems (Box 2) (cont)
• Mission PC (MPC) Systems (MPS)
– Supplemental operations support for POIC 
Cadre
• COTS Tools: MS Office, JAVA, Internet 
Explorer, etc.
• JSC Tools: Manual Procedures Viewer 
(MPV), Onboard Short Term Plan Viewer 
(OSTPV), Inventory Management 
System (IMS), JSC Web Sites/Services, 
Orbital Data Reduction Complex (ODRC) 
JAVA Mission Evaluation Workstation 
Software (JMEWS), Hazardous Material 
(HAZMAT), etc.
• Payload Planning Tools
– External User access to MPV/OSTPV products 
(read only capability)
• Other Externally Developed Systems
– JSC ISS Antenna Management
– JSC Orbital Communications Adapter (OCA) 
System
– JSC Space Station Training Facility (SSTF) 
Remote Area for Payloads Support (RAPS) 
System
– Cadre G2 Services
– ACES Desktop
15
Payload Planning System (PPS) (Box 3)
– User Requirements Collection (URC)
• Collection of Payload Developer’s payload science 
requirements for the development of ISS on-board 
execution timelines.  PD requirements are input as 
constraints into a representation of the ISS system 
constraints.
– User Requirements Integration (URI)
• POIC Cadre represents the complex ISS payload 
system and provides the level of detail needed to 
define the station’s layout to meet both the ISS 
system constraints and PD constraint requirements.
– Data System Routing and Configuration (DSRC)
• The POIC cadre plans, schedules, executes, controls 
and monitors the end-to-end data flow of payload 
and video data operations in support of ISS.
• Models the ISS on–board data system resources and 
scheduling constraints for the ISS Command and 
Data Handling (C&DH) components, on-orbit 
Communications and Tracking (C&T) components, 
Telemetry Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) space-to-
ground communications services support, and 
ground data and video systems operations.
– PPS interfaces with the Consolidated Planning System 
(CPS) developed and managed at JSC.
POIC-developed software system used to plan ISS payload operations supporting the POIC 
Cadre, International Partners (IPs), Payload Developers (PDs) and other NASA centers
16
Remote User Services (Box 4)
• Telescience Resource Kit (TReK)
– POIC-developed software provided to remote users
• Hosts individual P/L user-centric command and 
telemetry applications on Windows-based PC 
• Significantly improves ISS P/L customer 
command, control, and science data processing 
capabilities while eliminating redundant end-user 
data processing implementations
• Greatly reduces P/L user ground-flight system 
integration complexities/cost and recurring 
engineering
• Applications custom-tailored by end-user thru 
software Application Programming Interface 
(API)
• In use by significant majority of ISS payload 
users
• Internet Voice Distribution System (IVoDS) 
– Vendor software provided to remote users 
• Windows PC-based 
• Secure multiple voice loop talk/monitor capability
• Eliminates very costly custom-built hardware 
voice instruments and dedicated data 
communications infrastructure of conventional 
mission voice implementations
• Used by ISS payload users requiring mission 
voice not within NASA TSC
17
Remote User Services (Box 4)
Enhanced HOSC System (EHS) Web Services
– Provides remote user web-based access to command/telemetry 
database, information management systems, planning systems 
data, telemetry recall data, etc for integrated operations
– Runs on JAVA compliant Windows platform
Enhanced HOSC System (EHS) PC (EPC) Services
– Provides users with access to POIC telemetry processing/display 
and command/uplink system services 
– Runs on Windows platform
– Provides end user low-cost method to quickly build and validate 
mission products for system-wide sharing & integrated ops
18
MSFC Building 4663
HOSC 
Computer 
Room & 
Ground
System 
Operations
Payload 
Operations 
Integration Center


International Space Station Payload Operations Integration Center (POIC) Overview

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