Multi Network Optical and RF Communications for the ESA OPS-SAT ORIOLE Mission: Design Challenges and Operational Readiness

Multi Network Optical and RF Communications for the ESA OPS-SAT ORIOLE Mission: Design Challenges and Operational Readiness

Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT

The increasing availability of Ground Station as a Service (GSaaS) networks and recent advances in optical communications are creating new opportunities for small satellite missions. While both technologies offer significant operational benefits, combining them within a single mission architecture introduces challenges that extend beyond the communication subsystem itself. Differences in provider interfaces, scheduling workflows, operational procedures, regulatory constraints, and communication availability must be addressed before such architectures can be used routinely.

The ESA OPS-SAT ORIOLE (Optical Relay and Infrared Optics for LEO Experiments) mission explores a communication architecture combining conventional RF communication systems with optical communication capabilities within a unified mission operations framework. The mission utilises multiple independent ground station service providers together with an optical communication payload, while maintaining RF communications as the primary mechanism for spacecraft command and control.

This paper presents the communication architecture developed for OPS-SAT ORIOLE and discusses the engineering and operational considerations associated with integrating multiple RF and optical communication services. The paper focuses on provider interoperability, verification strategies, regulatory considerations, operational trade-offs, and the engineering challenges of preparing such a system for flight. The paper concludes with lessons learned that may be applicable to future small satellite missions adopting similar communication concepts.