Advanced Concept and Design of the Multi-Satellite Operations System

Abstract

The KOMPSAT-1(KOrea Multi Purpose SATellite-1) was launched in 1999 and operated until 2008. The KOMPSAT-2 was launched in 2006 and has been normally operated. The KOMPSAT-5 will be launched in 2010 and the KOMPSAT-3 will be launched in 2011. The KOMPSAT-1 ground system and the KOMPSAT-2 ground system, each was developed according to the concept of single satellite operation. However, the KOMPSAT-3 ground system and the KOMPSAT-5 ground system are going to be developed according to the concept of multi-satellite operations. Multi-satellite operations based on each satellite are such as (1) it ensures that sufficient mission element, facility element, staff and operations are available to carry out the satellite mission and (2) it allows each project owns its element, staff and procedure but the detail parts of them can be shared with other projects. Operations are quite complex and their costs are very high because compositions of each ground system are different from those of other ground system in terms of equipment, subsystem, and operational procedure. This paper presents the concept of multi-satellite operations which is called integration-oriented mission operations. Multi-satellite operations based on core function are such as (1) it ensures that last updating and/or modifying core functions of mission element, facility element, staff and operations are available to execute the mission operations and (2) it allows last updating and/or modifying core functions can support operations of previous satellites. This kind of multi-satellite operations is well defined in case satellites have similar function and missions are operated by the same operators and organization. This paper represents concept and design of the multi-satellite operations system for next generation ground system. Multi-satellite operations system consists of mission independent module and mission specific module. The generic framework and automation are also discussed. Using these generic frameworks, the schedule and cost for new operations system development are significantly reduced.