Using Video Over IP Inter and Intra Mission Control Centers and Beyond

Abstract

Whereas many international Mission Control Centers use still analogue video transmission technologies, the Columbus Control Center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, has taken the approach to digitalize their video services completely. This paper is a follow up on paper Digital Video Distribution for ISS/Columbus: Future Operations and Strategies presented at SpaceOps 2006. It will present the newest developments in integrating the video services into an all-over-IP (Internet Protocol) scenario. It will provide the background of and the road to the new design. There will be evaluations on the technical and financial benefits of the new design, as well as its limitations. The all-over-IP approach is based on the most recent services already widely spread in the so-called industry. The limitations of the new video service will mainly depend on the required high Quality of Service (QoS) of the underlying IP network. Amongst the benefits will be low end-to-end latencies, easy maintainability and sustainability, enhanced network security features and easy integration with other services, e.g. data and voice services. Another advantage will be cost efficiency due to using off-the-shelf products and off-the-shelf transmission services. Finally a first step into the world of High Definition TV will be taken. It will also be very easy to integrate these services into the Intranet of the Mission Control Centers. As such, every console position can have their own predefined set of video channels on their workstation to choose from. This service could even be extended to TV broadcast stations and the Internet for Public Relations purposes. The paper will as well provide a look into the near future, where this service can in fact be provided not only end-to-end between Mission Control Centers, but also including the International Space Station (ISS) itself into the loop. The European Space Agency (ESA) has already installed the necessary equipment on board the ISS and performed several successful tests. This new video service will be effectively used to monitor the docking of the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) at the ISS, scheduled for its first launch in spring 2008.