The TDP-1 Mission Control Center and ist current operational experience

Abstract

TDP-1 is a quasi-operational technology demonstration payload, designed to prove the concept of data transfer between low-orbit observation satellites and earth via a geostationary relay satellite in between the communication chain. This detour allows to significantly increase transferable data volume at reduced latency time, and is performed with the help of Laser Communication Terminals (LCTs) on board the low-orbit as well as the geostationary satellite, from which the data is immediately downlinked via Ka-Band. In this framework, TDP-1 is the successful precursor mission for the forthcoming European Data Relay Satellite System (EDRS). A dedicated operational concept has been developed by DLR GSOC as TDP1 Mission Control Center. The concept is based on heritage programs TerraSAR-X and NFIRE and includes all necessary tasks and steps like calculation of feasible link slots based on satellite orbit and availability data, scheduling of customer link requests, and generation of operational products for the involved spacecrafts to execute the links. This paper gives an overview of the current Mission Control Center System Design of the TDP-1 program and its operational experiences.