Using space-dynamics library OREKIT for optimal satellite contacts planning
Name
Mart Vellak
Abstract
Since 7th of May Estonia is space-country and for successful operating of our space-mission we use satellite ground stations. For operating ground stations we use Mission Control Software MCS, which is based on open-source framework Hummingbird. Hummingbird is infrastructure for building monitoring and control systems for remote assets. Unfortunately framework is missing component, that has the capability to plan contacts between satellites and ground stations.
Aim of this thesis is to design and program software, which is able to calculate contact times between satellites and ground stations. Software component has to calculate all possible contacts and parameters for characterizing contact in given time period. Parameters are for ground stations to pre-set antennas and radio frequencies. For calculations is used free Java library OREKIT. Using specific methods from OREKIT it is possible to calculate contact start and end time and parameters. For example parameters are azimuth, elevation, Doppler shift, signal loss, signal delay and distance between satellite and ground station,
Besides contact calculation there is another problem for satellite operators. Daily challenges are to optimize using ground stations for different satellites. Different optimization cases are: one satellite and multiple ground stations, multiple satellites and one ground stations and multiple satellites and multiple ground stations. In this thesis the focus is on one satellite and multiple ground stations optimization problem.
Graduation Thesis language
Estonian
Graduation Thesis type
Bachelor - Information Technology
Supervisor(s)
Urmas Kvell, Lauri Kimmel, Tõnis Eenmäe
Defence year
2013