SCOS-2000 MultiSat

Objectives

The MultiSat system extends ESA's Mission Control system SCOS-2000. It provides the means required to support more than a single spacecraft per computing node at a given time. In the past, focusing on a single spacecraft (a complex scientific mission for example) proved to be advantageous, because this approach helped to avoid cross-dependencies to other missions, and the layout of the ground-segment could be kept as clear as possible - another factor to preclude potential failure scenarios. Just recently several developments suggested to move away from the single-mission concept:

  • Increasing computing resources allowing missions on computing nodes to co-locate
  • Increasing on-board autonomy
  • Cost pressure demanding co-location of mission operations
  • Constellations and other (uniform) multi-satellite missions (e.g. communication satellites)

All this together, stimulated the initiative to extend the Operations Concept of SCOS-2000 in order to support such scenarios. And it is MultiSat's mission to provide all this in the least intrusive way possible to the SCOS-2000 kernel functionalities and client APIs. This approach also allows already operational missions to migrate to the MultiSat approach in a seamless way, thus aiding a reduction in operations cost.

Features

The following picture shows the overall architecture of SCOS-2000 MultiSat:

Click here for larger image


Standard SCOS-2000 servers and clients
Each of the Spacecraft has its own SCOS-2000 servers and clients running. The multiple servers run independently from each other. This allows use of the existing single spacecraft SCOS-2000 version with minimal changes.

MultiSat server
The additional MultiSat Server is connected to the Spacecraft servers to provide status and event information to the MultiSat client.

MultiSat clients
The MultiSat client consists of a Desktop application providing the user with a workspace based environment, where the spacecraft specific client windows are separated from each other. The user may log-on for any of the configured spacecraft, and start any of the standard SCOS-2000 clients for that spacecraft.
Overview client provides the user with information about spacecraft, workstations and running tasks.

Configuration support
The configuration data of all the spacecraft are managed in a central database. Export and configuration scripts support the user in distributing the information to all configured workstations. Reconfiguration of the MultiSat system is done automatically.

Project Plan

The MultiSat project was kicked off in October, 2001. The Design phase was finalised in February, 2002 with the Architectural Design Review. A Prototype presentation in April, 2002 showed a first version of the system with two satellites.

The First Delivery to ESA was in June, 2002.

The Final Delivery and Final presentation was in September, 2002.

Challenges

  • Run more than one SCOS-2000 server on a single workstation
  • Serve more than one spacecraft with a SCOS-2000 based system
  • Provide the user with access to all the spacecraft: Logon, monitor and control client applications

Benefits

Cost reduction for constellation control of spacecrafts. Several spacecrafts, e.g. a fleet of telecommunication satellites, can be controlled by the same HW and SW system.

Current Status (dated: 08 Apr 2003)

Completed.