The German Responsive Aperture Network Development (GRAND) – Accelerating Space starts on the ground

Abstract

GSOC, the German Space Operations Center of the German Aerospace Agency (DLR), providesground segments to all types of space missions, from human exploration to scientific observation,whether near Earth or in deep space. This process takes typically between months and a few yearsuntil the ground segment is fully ready for the mission.Over the last years, the pressure grew to accelerate the deployment of ground segments, particularlyfor small satellites and in general for LEO missions. Newer missions also require more flexibility interms of telecommunication technologies. Behind these requirements we find often “New Space”actors, who seek for rapid deployment of their products. As an example, some Cubesat manufacturerspropose to purchase satellites on their website almost in the same way as if you were purchasing yournew car or your new backpack.DLR created the Responsive Space Cluster Competence Center (RSC³) to research how to acceleratespace missions deployment. The two main objectives of RSC³ are to develop required responsivespace technologies and to realize technology demonstration in this field. Work has already been done,for example, in the area of a remotely deployable compact control center (V3C – VerlegefähigesCompact Control Center). V3C is a fast, secure and decentralized control center for your satellite andprovides a mean to operate your spacecraft in field conditions.GRAND, the German Responsive Aperture Network Development, aims to answer to the newchallenges from the perspective of the ground stations networks and will focus at first on smallsatellites missions in LEO orbits. This document presents the main questions of GRAND and thestrategy adopted to lower the deployment of ground stations to days. Available technologies intelecommunications, secure communications and networks, activity scheduling will be evaluated aswell as regulatory aspects and of course the typical requirements coming from such missions. In theend, GRAND will propose an autonomous, resilient, scalable, sustainable and durable solution forsupporting Responsive Space and provide a faster way to activate your space assets.