V3C

A satellite control centre on a laptop has been developed and tested in the frame of the V3C project (Verlegefähiges Compact Control Center = transferrable compact control centre). Key elements to control a satellite (Mission Control System, Flight Dynamics System and Mission Planning System) are available and are based on the software used at GSOC (German Space Operations Center) for regular missions. The Mission Control System communicates with the ground stations via an SLE (Space Link Extension) interface. The Flight Dynamics System provides TLE (Two Line Element) to the ground station antenna to achieve a proper pointing and tracking. The V3C control centre is operated by a single operator, who uses the Mission Planning System to generate the satellite timelines. The V3C system was tested at the control station Weilheim with BIROS (Bi-spectral InfraRed Optical System) und BORIS (Bi-spectral Optical Reconnaissance Imaging Satellite) satellites. Tests using ground terminals and a geostationary relay satellite will extend the transferrable aspect of the V3C system.