Session
Technical Session 1: Mission Operations and Autonomy
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
The operational complexity of managing the Spire constellation continually increases with the routine introduction of additional satellites and new capabilities. The heterogeneous nature of the satellites, payloads, and ground station configurations compounds the difficulty of strategic planning and operational scheduling. In order to efficiently operate this diverse network of assets, Spire developed a suite of bespoke constellation modeling and management tools that are designed to support existing demand and to scale for future needs. The modeling tools enable Spire to accurately simulate and optimize the performance of various constellation configurations prior to deployment. The operational tools required to harness the full potential of the constellation incorporate complex techniques in order to schedule payload operations, maximize data collection, and monitor performance. These tools are developed in a modular and scalable fashion to ensure that new capabilities, such as the introduction of inter-satellite links, can be readily integrated into the planning system. In addition to these internal tools, Spire also offers a suite of standardized APIs and user services through which both internal and external customers can seamlessly integrate payloads and software with the Spire constellation, enabling secure access to development and simulation environments, scheduling, and data pipeline tools. The constellation modeling, performance prediction, and operational management tools developed at Spire are essential to ensure efficient and optimized production in an increasingly complex system.
Constellation Modelling, Performance Prediction and Operations Management for the Spire Constellation
Utah State University, Logan, UT
The operational complexity of managing the Spire constellation continually increases with the routine introduction of additional satellites and new capabilities. The heterogeneous nature of the satellites, payloads, and ground station configurations compounds the difficulty of strategic planning and operational scheduling. In order to efficiently operate this diverse network of assets, Spire developed a suite of bespoke constellation modeling and management tools that are designed to support existing demand and to scale for future needs. The modeling tools enable Spire to accurately simulate and optimize the performance of various constellation configurations prior to deployment. The operational tools required to harness the full potential of the constellation incorporate complex techniques in order to schedule payload operations, maximize data collection, and monitor performance. These tools are developed in a modular and scalable fashion to ensure that new capabilities, such as the introduction of inter-satellite links, can be readily integrated into the planning system. In addition to these internal tools, Spire also offers a suite of standardized APIs and user services through which both internal and external customers can seamlessly integrate payloads and software with the Spire constellation, enabling secure access to development and simulation environments, scheduling, and data pipeline tools. The constellation modeling, performance prediction, and operational management tools developed at Spire are essential to ensure efficient and optimized production in an increasingly complex system.
