Design, Architecture, and Management of Operations in SeRANIS, a Multifunctional Small Satellite Mission

Abstract

This paper presents an in-depth description of the operations concept design of the Athene-1 satellite, developed within the Seamless Radio Access Network for Internet of Space (SeRANIS) project, carried out by the Universität der Bundeswehr München (UniBwM). The SeRANIS project aims to provide a multifunctional space mission, in which the Athene-1 satellite will host more than 20 diverse and innovative payloads, for a payload mass of approximately 90kg, in a sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) at an altitude of about 550km. In this paper, we analyze the various operational constraints and requirements imposed by the payloads, which include, among others, space communication systems, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technologies, and Earth observation. In addition to those of the payloads, the constraints of the platform and ground infrastructure are analyzed, the overall system engineering challenges are highlighted, and the corresponding operational design decisions are presented for both the space and the ground segment. At the core of the operations architecture is the collaborative operational framework between the German Space Operations Center (GSOC), in the role of the platform control center, and UniBwM, as payload control center, responsible for the operations and data management of the onboard payloads. The paper places particular emphasis on the operational workflows and details how GSOC and UniBwM coordinate to ensure mission success. It also provides a description of the joint scheduling and planning procedures, outlining the workflows from payload activity requests through to their onboard execution. The mission planning system for both the platform and payload is based on the GSOC generic mission planning tool suite, with UniBwM using PintaOnWeb as the user interface for the planning of payload activities. Through a comprehensive description of the operational workflows, the paper provides insight into the operations strategies and collaborative processes that drive the SeRANIS mission, offering a valuable reference for future missions of this type, contributing to advancements in satellite operations and collaborative mission management.