1. Mission Operations in Small Satellite Projects Making Mission Operations Effective J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium

2. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 2 of 13 Introduction Need: Effective Mission Operations Motivation  Lessons Learned in 3CS, CX, and DINO Mission Operations ChallengesPersonnelTrainingExperienceTurn-overFunding Little or None Equipment & Tools Not Available, Poorly Designed ScheduleOrganization Solution: The Road Map

3. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 3 of 13 Characteristics of Small Satellites Few Objectives Earth Observation and Tech Demos Little or no redundancy Nano- or micro-satellites Dedicated Ground System and Personnel Few ground stations and personnel Low priority operations Mission is not crucial to major projects Low tempo operations Low data rate, few major activities Little Funding ~ $100,000 Short Schedule ~1 – 2 years Small Team Fewer than 100 people

4. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 4 of 13 Motivation Lessons from 3 CSGC Missions Citizen Explorer I (Operations Team Lead) Orbit: Sun-Synchronous at 705 km Science: Ozone Measurement Status: Final Review in May 2005 3 Corner Sat (MCT Supervisor) Orbit: ~ 200 km Circular Science: Imaging Status: Lost on Launch (Dec 2004) DINO (Operations Team Lead) Orbit: ~ISS Orbit Science: Tech Demo, Cloud Topography Status: No Longer Funded

5. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 5 of 13 Lessons and Challenges Organization  Incomplete or incorrect tasking Schedule  Incomplete or Nonexistent Personnel  Training – Decreases Productive Time  Experience – Undergraduates or Graduates  Turn-over – Workforce varies by semester Funding  Scarce – Can’t hire experience Equipment & Tools Not Available Poorly Designed

6. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 6 of 13 Role of Mission Operations Operational/Systems Level Viewpoint Capability for Operational Analysis  Concept Design Operational Expectations → Operational Objectives → Operational Requirements → Spacecraft Design Mission Planning How Mission Objectives will be met When Objectives will be met What Objectives require Criteria for Objective Success Evaluation of Project Deliverables Takes place over entire project lifetime Evaluation of Subsystem hardware/software capability

7. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 7 of 13 The Road Map Provides Clarity! Resolves Challenges: Aids in Other Challenges through Anticipation of Issue: OrganizationalScheduling Responsibility Project-long Schedule of activity Objectives Deliverables Deadlines and Definitions Functions PersonnelFunding Equipment & Tools Turnover How much? What is needed? TrainingWhen? When is it needed? Experience For What?

8. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 8 of 13 Road Map Components Project Phases Conception Project Concept Design Operational Expectations Mission Objectives and Requirements Design Detailed Subsystem Designs Build Fabrication and Functional Integration Test Rigorous Operational Testing Launch Initial Insertion Spacecraft Certification for Nom. Ops. Nominal Operations Meeting the Mission Objectives! End of Life Spacecraft Decommissioning

9. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 9 of 13 Road Map Components Mission Operations Functions ResponsibilitiesInputsOutputs 1 Systems Requirements Specification Devises and inspects Systems/Subsystems Specs and Objectives Project Expectations Detailed Project/ Subsystem Requirements and Mission Objectives 2 Ground Software Design Devises GSW Design Project Expectations Detailed GSW Design 3 Mission Simulation Ensuring that Subsystems Specs yield functional product Detailed Mission Specs Operation-level analysis 4 Failure Modes & Effects Analysis Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Subsystem design, System design FMEA Documentation & Implementation 5 Analytical Support Providing systems- level analysis to other subsystems for design and test efforts System/Subsyste m Analysis Requests Analysis Results

10. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 10 of 13 Road Map Components Mission Operations Functions (cont.) ResponsibilitiesInputsOutputs 6 Mission Planning Operations Management, detailed mission timelines Normal Mission Operations Requirements and System Capabilities Detailed Timelines, Procedures & Resource Schedules 7 Activity Planning & Development Ground and S/C Scheduling Abnormal Situations Certified and Tested Solutions 8 Mission Control Console Operations – Monitoring S/C H&S, Routine Maintenance S/C and Simulator Telemetry, Command Requests Daily S/C Status Reports, S/C Commands 9 Data Services Gathering, Managing, and Distributions Mission Data S/C Telemetry, Mission Data Products Accessible Database of Telemetry, Mission Data Products 10 Navigation S/C On-orbit Navigation Navigation Requirements Navigation Maneuvers

11. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 11 of 13 ResponsibilitiesInputsOutputs 11 Attitude Control S/C On-orbit Attitude Control (as necessary) S/C and Instrument Pointing Requirements Attitude Maneuvers 12 Spacecraft & Payload Operations S/C-specific Bus and Payload Operations Bus & Payload Engineering Data Operations, Anomaly Responses, Command Requests 13 Mission Assurance & Risk Mitigation Meeting Objectives while Minimizing risk to S/C Proposed Activities and Improvements Approval & Recommendations 14 Operator Training & Certification Obtaining, Training, and Certifying Mission Operators Untrained Personnel Certified Operators, Training Materials, Certification Critieria Road Map Components Mission Operations Functions (cont.)

12. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 12 of 13 Road Map Components Schedule of Functions ConceptionDesignBuildTestLaunch Nominal Operations End of Life Systems Requirements Specification XX Ground Software Design XX Mission Simulation X XXXX Failure Modes & Effects Analysis XXXXX Analytical Support XXXXXXX Mission Planning XX XXXXX Activity Planning & Development XXXX Mission Control XXX X Data Services XXXX Navigation XXXX Attitude Control XXXX Spacecraft & Payload Operations XXXX Mission Assurance & Risk Mitigation XXXXXXX Operator Training & Certification XXXX

13. J. Burkert Colorado Space Grant Consortium Slide 13 of 13 Conclusions Identifiable Need for Clarity in the Role and Function of Mission Operations Defined Objectives & Requirements allow:  Directed, Structured Analytical Effort  Directed, Structured Design Effort  Determination of Mission Operations Schedule Proper Schedule allows:  Effectiveness  Efficiency  Anticipation of Needs Mission Operations Functions Definition allow:  Clarity in role of Mission Operations in larger project over the project lifetime