Ground Segment Design for Command & Control and Payload Data of High Altitude Platforms

Abstract

High Altitude Platforms (HAPs) are often discussed as a replacement or add-on technology to Earth Observation (EO) satellite networks. In order to reduce the mission costs, HAP systems could build on available satellite downlink technology and share the ground infrastructure. This would require similar downlink protocols, communication frequency ranges, data backhauling, archiving and dissemination schemes. Furthermore, a HAP needs to be monitored and controlled with a high level of safety and security. Therefore, the application of proven and existing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology is useful. This work investigates how existing satellite and UAV technology and infrastructure can be applied to efficiently operate a HAP system from ground. In an initial phase, it is expected that the HAP will be operated from a ground station close to the launch site. In a later stage it is planned that only the communication technology must be located in the operating area, but the monitoring and controlling can be located in a centralized ground station complex. Therefore, this design is divided into a communication and an operation ground station. One possible design for a payload and communication and control ground segment with the focus on the specific requirements of a HAP system is discussed. A focus is set on making use of available SmallSat and UAV communication technology. Additionally, an insight into the interaction with the on-board systems as well as the operation ground station is presented. The summary of this work provides an exemplary ground segment design for an EO HAP mission.