GECCOS - the new Monitoring and Control System at DLR-GSOC for Space Operations, based on SCOS-2000

Abstract

At DLR-GSOC, the German Space Operations Center, the Satellite Monitoring and Control System (MCS) originating from ESA-SCOS-2000 was adapted for the first time for the mission CHAMP, beginning from the year 2000. Since then a custom GSOC branch of this MCS is in active development, both with respect to mission-specific adaptations as well as multi-mission related , ultimately leading to GSOC’s own MCS called “GECCOS” – the GSOC Enhanced Commandand Control System for Operating Spacecrafts. GECCOS, based on SCOS-2000 Release 3.1, represents a generic MCS and supports a broad set of scientific and commercial satellite platforms: CHAMP, GRACE, TSX (TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, PAZ), EnMAP, TET, SmallGEO (HAG-1, EDRS-C, H2Sat), Spacebus 3000 (COMSATBw 1&2), Eurostar 3000 (EDRSA) and in future SWARM Bus (GRACE-FO). Additionally, GECCOS has the capability to act as MCS as well as Central Check-out System (CCS) so it is capable of supporting S/C projects from AIT phase until mission operations phases. This has been demonstrated in the context of the missions TerraSAR-X, TanDEM-X, PAZ, TET and BIROS. That approach offers significant advantages regarding inherent validation of the future S/C operational MCS, being compatible with the S/C database (in SCOS2000 terms Mission Information Base, MIB) as well as with flight control procedures (FCP), already within early AIT and S/C checkout phases. This is a key driver for the use of GECCOS within SmallGEO platform based S/C operations as their CCS is also based on SCOS-2000 Release 3.1. kernel. The combination of CCS and MCS data handling kernels is an important paradigm which is also one of the key drivers for future MCS/CCS projects like the European Ground Systems Common-Core (EGSCC), a project led by ESA. In this contribution we present the main adaptations and advantages GECCOS offers when compared to classical MCS like ESA SCOS-2000 and point out how it can fulfill the MCS requirements for upcoming Missions operated at modern control centers.