efficient smallsat operation using scibox
TRANSCRIPT
Efficient SmallSat Operation Using SciBox35th Annual Small Satellite ConferenceSSC21-I-06Presenter:Rafael M. “Ralf” PerezMission Systems EngineerThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)Space Exploration Sector
Contributors: Kristin Fretz, Ralf Perez, Teck Choo, Annette Mirantes, Warren Chen
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What is SciBox?• SciBox is an autonomous planning and scheduling
software that streamlines the satellite command process- Identifies event occurrences for science, ground station contacts,
eclipse periods, and any other predictable phenomenon or event- Ingests satellite configuration schedules from multiple sources for the
science instrument, radio, attitude, heaters, etc.- Enforces operational flight constraints to protect critical or sensitive
hardware, protect high value external resources, etc.- Monitors real-time and playback satellite and ground telemetry- Simulates satellite on-orbit performance
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SciBox Evolution• SciBox was incrementally developed and demonstrated
over 20 years on a variety of APL spaceflight projects at the mission and instrument levels
- Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics & Dynamics (TIMED) – 2001 to Present
- MESSENGER (Mercury Orbiter) – 2004 to 2015- Multi-mission Bus Demonstration (MBD) – 2013 to 2015- CubeSat Signal Preprocessor Assessment & Test (CAT) – 2019 to
2021- Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) – Launch Pending 2024
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MBD SciBox Application
PrioritySponsor Office
Ground Station
Uplink CommandsSciBox
(Autonomously managed)
Downlink TelemetryData
Processing Center
Processed TelemetryAnalysts
Objective Based User Interface
To Satellites >>>
Primary User
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CAT SciBox Application
Payload Scheduling RequirementsPayload Team
Two-Line Element SetCelesTrak / JSpOC
Contact ScheduleMission Ops Team
Diff. Drag Maneuver ReportMission Design & Navigation
Operational ConstraintsEngineering Team
Manual Diff. Drag Maneuver CommandsMission Design & Navigation
Payload Patch UpdatePayload Team
MissionOps
Command Schedule
Scheduling ConflictUplink Commands
To Ground Stations >>>
SciBox(Manually
managed by Mission Ops)
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EZIE SciBox Application
Science ObjectivesScience / Instrument Team
Orbit PredictionMission Design & Navigation
Ref SV Separation ProfileMission Design & Navigation
Daily Orbit StateMission Ops
Contact ScheduleMission Ops
Instrument Patch UpdateInstrument Ops
Operational ConstraintsEngineering Team
TLE SetJSpOC
SciBox(Autonomously
managed by Science Ops)
MissionOps
Command Schedule
Scheduling Conflict
Uplink Commands
To Ground Stations >>>
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Key Benefits of SciBox• Provides a streamlined, stable, and routine approach for
planning and commanding satellite operations• Eases the process burden of the mission operations team• Reduces the overall risk of operator or process errors• Increases system availability and responsiveness• Reduces labor costs for mission operations• Provides highly consistent data products between each
planning cycle