Case Studies - Space

QinetiQ has successfully developed a complete telemetry, trials and tracking ground segment solution for their STRV technology demonstrator spacecraft.

Our space technology research vehicle (STRV) demanded a low-cost complete ground segment and associated systems solution, which provided all mission critical spacecraft operations capabilities. This included telemetry, tracking and control, links, data reception, handling, archiving and distribution and the associated software solutions to make these operations possible. It needed to be suitable during the launch, the early orbit phase, and the lifetime of the spacecraft.

To achieve this complete systems solution the STRV missions relied on our 12 metre antenna together with additional back-up support provided by the NASA Deep Space Network installations. The satellite ground station is a dedicated and unique facility which provides both data reception and telemetry, tracking and control capabilities at S-band . We realised the hardware aspects of the ground segment solution by combining this facility with our spacecraft operations centre. This centre provided the STRV operations team with remote access to the monitoring and control operations aspects, resulting in a significant reduction in manpower requirements for spacecraft operational activities.

Ground segment software developed for the STRV 1c & 1d missions completed the TT&C capability requirements. This software, developed in collaboration with other organisations, was designed to be user friendly and highly modular in nature, minimising difficulties during operator training and throughout spacecraft operations activities. This approach also lent itself to achieving significant reductions in cost during installation, configuration and maintenance of the ground segment. The developed software represented one of the first operational implementations of the CCSDS (Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems) packet telemetry and telecommand protocol standards, a number of these standards of which QinetiQ was instrumental in defining during our long record of collaboration with the CCSDS. Although certain aspects of the ground segment are specific to the STRV spacecraft, generic implementations are feasible to allow use with any CCSDS compliant spacecraft, representing an increase in system flexibility and a reduction in future development costs.

The STRV TT&C ground segment was a reliable, functional and low-cost system, implemented in a highly generic manner, providing a simple yet flexible solution to the demands of the STRV missions. The ground segment proved itself during LEOP operations through into nominal spacecraft operations. The modular form of the ground segment software has also permitted integration with other systems to be investigated, including systems aimed at automating spacecraft link session operations and the implementation of the new CCSDS Space Link Extensions (SLE) protocols aimed at using the internet to allow service users to access a ground station to obtain a communications link with the required spacecraft.