Alfonso Sancho, GMV; Artur Bialkowski, GMV; Alejandro Pastor, GMV; Christoffen Kronjäger, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR); Jonathan Nicolai, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR); Andreas Bachlechner, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR)
Keywords: operational system, space surveillance and tracking, space situational awareness, space objects catalogue
Abstract:
The German Space Situational Awareness Center (GSSAC), under Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), has been working with GMV since 2021 to upgrade and enhance the GSSAC Mission System (GMS). The GMS goal is to build-up and maintain a space objects catalogue by processing Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) data, focusing on automation, reliability, and robustness. The GMS encompasses not only the essential software components for SST data processing but also includes databases, archiving systems, system interfaces, and a pioneering framework designed to streamline the cataloguing process. It features portal software and a web-based graphical user interface, providing seamless access to input and output data. This user-friendly interface allows operators to easily navigate through the system, enhancing their productivity and efficiency. Moreover, the GMS incorporates software responsible for creating valuable products and a product submission module that facilitates the distribution of these products to both internal and external stakeholders. This ensures that the data generated by the GMS is readily available and easily accessible, promoting reliability and timeliness.
The architecture of the GMS is built on the principles of microservices. This design approach splits the functionality of the system into several components, each with a clear responsibility and Application Programming Interface (API) for data access. This enhances scalability, ensuring that the performance of the system is not compromised in the future due to the expected growth of the space objects population and the improvement of sensor tracking and surveillance capabilities.
At the core of the GMS is the Cataloguing Service, in charge of the main operations related to the build-up and maintenance of the catalogue. It handles orbit determination and the generation of the final cataloguing products, such as state vectors, ephemerides, visibilities, or mean elements. Besides, the Cataloguing Service implements advanced data association processes: association of observations (tracklet-to-tracklet), correlation of observations and orbits (tracklet-to-orbit), and correlation of orbits (orbit-to-orbit); as well as advanced maneuver detection and estimation capabilities. To do so, a new astrodynamics library, “Basisalgorithmen für SST Datenverarbeitung” (BaSSTDa; basic algorithms for SST data processing), has been developed. All these processes can be triggered on schedule or event based and are fully automated. This automation significantly reduces the workload of the operators, allowing them to focus on more critical tasks.
The Catalogue Database Service handles all the information and curated data related to space objects. This includes orbital data (ephemerides, state vectors, mean elements), maneuvers, and physical properties, among others. Apart from managing the storage of all this data, the service provides a user-friendly interface, allowing the operators to access and visualize the data, as well as exporting functionalities. Standard formats, such as those defined by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), are used whenever possible to ensure efficient data sharing.
The GMS contains other services which are part of the cataloguing workflow. The File Transfer Service and an Archive Service download and store the files used in data processing, including observations, space weather data and external orbital information. These two services are also responsible for the distribution of the final products to external stakeholders. The Sensor Configuration Service manages all sensor information and configuration, including calibration data updates from both external and internal sources.
Operators can control and monitor the GMS status using web based Graphical User Interface (GUI) which provides comprehensive tools for system understanding. These tools include charts, tables, and various visualization methods, all presented in a visually appealing manner. A separate service provides the security layer, so that the access to the system and roles can be configured.
The GMS along with its components, is engineered to effortlessly adapt to changing needs and requirements. Enhancements, such as cataloguing workflow improvements, or data acquisition from new sources, require minimal development effort. This strategy not only renders the system flexible and capable of adapting to upcoming needs, but also facilitates the exploration of new methodologies at a reduced cost.
Date of Conference: September 17-20, 2024
Track: SDA Systems & Instrumentation