Satellite remote sensing, communications, and navigation systems

enable real-time access to valuable information necessary to

support science and Department of Defense operations.

Because small satellites are being developed faster and for less

money than their larger counterparts, the demand for small

satellite technologies, including satellite command and control

software, continues to increase.

To help fill this need, the Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) has

developed satellite command and control software that includes

a suite of operations tools and individual applications that run

within a common web framework. The software includes a

satellite planner, autonomous operations, data management

and processing, alert system, and facility monitor. The extensible

design enables users to use the software development kit to write

custom plugins for mission-specific needs.

FEATURES

• Rapid vehicle integration• Extensible framework for mission-specific requirements• User-friendly interface• Autonomous control enabling lights-out operations• External interface for mission partners, including vehicle task

requests and data dissemination• Vehicle scheduling and planning• Integration with third-party applications to support

vehicle simulation• Ability to post-process telemetry and payload data• Modern web architecture supporting cloud deployment• Ability to integrate with existing toolsets• Integrated alert system able to work within various

environments• Supports message-based architecture using the NASA

GMSEC standard• Non-proprietary solution, free for Government use• Compatible with Linux and Windows operating systems

Satellite Command & Control Software

SDL/19-1642A S P A C E D Y N A M I C S L A B O R A T O R Y

1695 North Research Park Way • North Logan, Utah 84341 • Phone 435.713.3400 • www.sdl.usu.edu1695 North Research Park Way • North Logan, Utah 84341 • Phone 435.713.3400 • www.sdl.usu.edu

SDL’s command and control software is designed to provide an extensible, easy-to-use solution

for small satellites. It is based on a modern technology stack (C#, Angular) as a web application

with the objective of solving the following issues:

• Long and difficult mission integration times• Difficult (or no) lights-out operations• Expensive solutions designed for larger systems

SDL’s command and control software works to resolve these challenges by providing a solution with Government-use rights that is built on an extensible modern architecture. SDL’s software is designed to aggregate individual mission applications into a cohesive solution for mission operations. It does this by enabling different mission functions (i.e., planning and autonomy) to be individual applications run from the same application framework in a seamless user experience.

SDL SATELLITE COMMAND & CONTROL SOFTWARE PROCESS DIAGRAM

Satellite Command & Control Software

Alert Sender

Prot

ocol

Telemetry

Operations Center

SoftwareModule

DatabaseStorage

ApplicationPlugin

Commands & Telemetry

Vehicle Plan

Message Bus (GMSEC)

DataGMSEC Msg

Console

GM

SEC

AlertManager

Ground Station

Autonomy Engine

DataProcessor

Proc

esso

r

Planner

Data Manager

Telemetry

SpacecraftManager

System Alerts

FEP

Cmd/

Tlm

Legend

Storage

Spacecraft Details

1695 North Research Park Way • North Logan, Utah 84341 • Phone 435.713.3400 • www.sdl.usu.edu