The TerraSAR-X Ground-Segment: A Successful Story of Space Operations

Abstract

On June 15th 2007 Germany’s first national remote sensing satellite, TerraSAR-X, was launched; on June 19th 2007 the first pictures were received and processed. TerraSAR-X is implemented in a public-private partnership between the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and EADS Astrium GmbH, with a significant financial contribution from the industrial partner. This radar satellite supplies high-quality radar data for purposes of scientific observation of the earth for a period of at least five years. At the same time it is designed to satisfy the steadily growing demand of the private sector for remote sensing data in the commercial market. This paper will describe at first the development of the TerraSAR-X ground segment as well as the operations concept in the context of previous national SARrelated activities. Additionally the roles and responsibilities of the partners as well as the overall project organization are shown. The TerraSAR-X ground segment is located at DLR in Oberpfaffenhofen and consists of the Missions Operations Segment (MOS), the Payload Ground Segment (PGS) and the Instrument Operations and Calibration Segment (IOCS). The system design and the operations concept will be described with an emphasis on the mission operations segment as an essential part of the overall ground segment. Mission operations consist not only of operation of the satellite and its prime payload (the radarinstrument) but also of the secondary payload (e.g. a Laser Communication Terminal, LCT) as well. The contribution will then focus on the results and experiences of the LEOP and commissioning phase of TerraSAR-X mission operations and gives an overview about the actual mission status. Finally a brief outlook will be given on the activities to come.