The challenges of a multi-control-centre mission planning

Abstract

This paper describes the implementation of the planning concepts with respect to the different mission operations phases as part of the European Navigation Satellite System Galileo. Considered are interlaced operational aspects of flight activities, ground activities, security, and payload activities which are executed by the different involved Control Centres and scientific-technical supporting centres involved. The challenges of Galileo planning lies within the complexity of the interactions, the international co-ordination between the multiple sites, and the scheduling of routine and special operations activities in parallel regarding an increasing number of satellites. The planning solutions of the Galileo Control Centre at DLR GfR mbH, Oberpfaffenhofen and the lessons-learnt from the first launch campaign are further presented here. © 2012 by DLR GfR mbH.