Spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking, & Command with Epsilon3
Mission and Ground Operations teams use spacecraft Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) systems and techniques to collect what they refer to as constellation state-of-health or “housekeeping” data. For example, monitoring the health of a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite is crucial for ensuring its proper functioning and longevity in space. Payload Data Transmission (PDT) is another important term which typically refers to the data, readings, or images a scientific instrument might collect once a satellite has been deployed.
Below is a video demonstrating a satellite TT&C procedure being executed and automated using the Epsilon3 platform.
A written procedure like the one listed below can easily be imported into Epsilon3. It can then be revised and streamlined to maximize operational efficiency. As you saw in the video, many of these processes are automated and executed with the help of our Telemetry & Command Integrations. This can significantly reduce the amount of time spent manually retrieving, evaluating, and recording telemetry data.
Satellite operators also love that Epsilon3 offers real-time collaboration with external mission partners—including spacecraft manufacturers, launch providers, and NASA—that also use Epsilon3 for Assembly, Integration, Testing (AIT) and other complex operations. This is a major upgrade from paper, spreadsheets, or outdated internal tools that are often inefficient and disconnected. Check out this Customer Case Study to learn more.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these complex steps to understand why they’re best practices when operating spacecraft.
Telemetry Data Collection
Sensor Readings: Collect data from various onboard sensors measuring parameters such as temperature, voltage, current, attitude, and orbital position.
Data Transmission: Transmit the encoded telemetry data to ground stations or satellite operation centers via downlink communication channels.
Real-Time Analysis
Data Reception: Receive the telemetry data at ground stations or satellite operation centers in real-time.
Data Processing: Process the received telemetry data for real-time analysis and anomaly detection.
Anomaly Detection: Compare the processed telemetry data with predefined thresholds or expected values to detect any deviations indicating anomalies or potential issues.
Fault Detection and Diagnosis
Threshold Comparison: Compare current telemetry data with predefined thresholds for each monitored parameter to identify deviations beyond acceptable limits.
Root Cause Analysis: Analyze the detected anomalies to determine their root causes, which may involve examining historical data, system logs, or conducting diagnostic tests.
Fault Classification: Classify the detected faults based on severity and impact on satellite operations, distinguishing between minor anomalies, critical failures, or potential hazards.
Command and Control
Command Generation: Generate commands based on the analysis of telemetry data and fault diagnosis, specifying corrective actions or adjustments to be executed by the satellite.
Command Verification: Verify the generated commands to ensure they are accurate, safe, and compatible with the satellite's onboard systems and operational constraints.
Command Uplink: Transmit the verified commands from ground stations to the satellite via uplink communication channels, adhering to established communication protocols and security measures.
Predictive Maintenance
Data Analysis: Analyze historical telemetry data and performance trends using advanced analytics to identify patterns indicative of potential failures or degradation.
Failure Prediction: Predict potential failure modes or degradation trends based on the analysis of historical data, system behavior, and environmental factors.
Maintenance Planning: Develop a proactive maintenance plan based on predicted failure modes, scheduling preventive maintenance activities such as system checks, component replacements, or software updates to mitigate risks and ensure continued operation.
By streamlining complex Telemetry, Tracking, and Command procedures with Epsilon3, operators can ensure the health and functionality of their spacecraft from anywhere, anytime.
Are you interested in seeing how Epsilon3 can help your team drive mission success?
Book a demo with one of our product experts to get started!
