Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis

The astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are only the most visible part of a much larger team engaged around the clock in the performance of science and technical activities in space. The bulk of such team is scattered around the globe in five major Mission Control Centers (MCCs...

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Main Authors: Thomas Uhlig, Thurid Mannel, Antonio Fortunato, Norbert Illmer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:The Scientific World Journal
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/308031
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author Thomas Uhlig
Thurid Mannel
Antonio Fortunato
Norbert Illmer
author_facet Thomas Uhlig
Thurid Mannel
Antonio Fortunato
Norbert Illmer
author_sort Thomas Uhlig
collection DOAJ
description The astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are only the most visible part of a much larger team engaged around the clock in the performance of science and technical activities in space. The bulk of such team is scattered around the globe in five major Mission Control Centers (MCCs), as well as in a number of smaller payload operations centres. Communication between the crew in space and the flight controllers at those locations is an essential element and one of the key drivers to efficient space operations. Such communication can be carried out in different forms, depending on available technical assets and the selected operational approach for the activity at hand. This paper focuses on operational voice communication and provides a quantitative overview of the balance achieved in the Columbus program between collaborative space/ground operations and autonomous on-board activity execution. An interpretation of the current situation is provided, together with a description of potential future approaches for deep space exploration missions.
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series The Scientific World Journal
spelling doaj-art-8aae0b9d17ce4d58a1fc3443250ebd402025-08-20T02:09:25ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal2356-61401537-744X2015-01-01201510.1155/2015/308031308031Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative AnalysisThomas Uhlig0Thurid Mannel1Antonio Fortunato2Norbert Illmer3Columbus Control Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyColumbus Control Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Oberpfaffenhofen, 82234 Wessling, GermanyEuropean Astronaut Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, GermanyEuropean Astronaut Center, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR), Linder Höhe, 51147 Köln, GermanyThe astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) are only the most visible part of a much larger team engaged around the clock in the performance of science and technical activities in space. The bulk of such team is scattered around the globe in five major Mission Control Centers (MCCs), as well as in a number of smaller payload operations centres. Communication between the crew in space and the flight controllers at those locations is an essential element and one of the key drivers to efficient space operations. Such communication can be carried out in different forms, depending on available technical assets and the selected operational approach for the activity at hand. This paper focuses on operational voice communication and provides a quantitative overview of the balance achieved in the Columbus program between collaborative space/ground operations and autonomous on-board activity execution. An interpretation of the current situation is provided, together with a description of potential future approaches for deep space exploration missions.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/308031
spellingShingle Thomas Uhlig
Thurid Mannel
Antonio Fortunato
Norbert Illmer
Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
The Scientific World Journal
title Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
title_full Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
title_fullStr Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
title_full_unstemmed Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
title_short Space-to-Ground Communication for Columbus: A Quantitative Analysis
title_sort space to ground communication for columbus a quantitative analysis
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/308031
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