Development of the infinity service, a data-centric ground network service with high capacity for small satellites and large constellations

Abstract

SSC continues to develop a new service called SSC Infinity, based on a ground network design aiming at high efficiency, automation and hence also capacity for end-user’s service delivery, something that is needed for the new large constellations and commercial “new space” startups. The SSC Infinity service is built on several parts, the geographically distributed ground network, the operational concept, the software infrastructure used to operate the systems behind the service and the final service offering formulation to the user. The vision is to reach an effective “total service delivery system” which involves high integration between both space and ground segment to include more advanced interaction between the ground network provider and the satellite owner. This includes more advanced scheduling and post-reception data handling. The scheduling improvements and high user integration allows the user to move to a data-centric cloud based concept, where scheduling is based on actual needs, dynamic or static. By improving the traditional AOS-LOS scheduling into a model where only the actual needed antenna time is allocated, higher ground system flexibility for serving other missions is realized, which is particularly relevant for larger constellations. To support low LEO orbits, a network with small antennas at a large number of sites is deployed. With a larger number of sites in the network, higher elevation angles can be used in the satellite design, enabling lighter radio systems onboard, suitable for small spacecraft. Reduced link margins combined with an operational concept that is more tolerant of single antenna link errors, enables a service at a lower price that can be delivered with robustness. This approach replaces single site redundancy with geographical diversity. By providing standardized configurations, the non-recurring costs can be reduced. The recent developments and implementation of this service is discussed in the paper. The monitor and control system has been based on the requirement of a high level of automation, where there are no “operators in the loop”, and a high level of user visibility of the service, either through a web portal or through the API with RESTful interfaces to the user mission control system. Improvements of the user web interface have been performed, which will include interfaces for user management, mission configuration, scheduling, service monitoring as well as ticket handling and invoicing. Developments have also been on the scheduling engine as well as the mission configuration builder. The hardware used in the ground stations is built on cost effective equipment, initially supporting S/X-band communication. The offline data delivery can be performed through a cloud service, with a number of standardized file transfer protocols. The SSC Infinity service will be complementary to existing SSC high end services with large aperture high performance antennas, higher service level agreements, as well as tailored solutions.