Training for Everyone - The GSOC "Spacecraft Operations Course"

Abstract

For more than 20 years, the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) has regularly offered a unique training program. One or two times per year, within five days, a group of up to 18 participants receives lectures and exercises on most aspects of spacecraft operations. The curriculum ranges from project and resource management to flight dynamics, ground station design and operations, and aspects of satellite subsystems. The hands-on portion consists of five exercises including a realistic LEOP simulation. Lecturers from other agencies supplement the course offerings. The course is given by highly experienced space operations people. It's an experience shared by many colleagues in space operations: Limitations and bottlenecks in budget and operability need to be compensated for by the operations centers. The course aims to provide a deep understanding of the operational hurdles and aspects, as well as the constraints that must be considered. What makes this course special, is the target audience. It is not a training for pro-fessional operators, but a course aimed at attracting people from a wide range of interests. This chapter firstly reflects on the development of the course content and lessons learned with instructors and participants. Secondly it presents the plans for additional courses and future expansion opportunities are presented. It also shows how course variants are used for lectures at universities.