Cloud-based Ground System for Telemetry Processing

Abstract Historically, ground systems for space telemetry and commanding have been developed on a mission-by-mission basis. Ground telemetry system designs were rarely reused across projects because schedule-driven development cycles did not allow for the inclusion of additional features to accommodate future mission formats and/or large varieties of operational scenarios. Because of the custom nature of these ground systems, reuse often required extensive changes in software, hardware, and firmware to meet new mission needs. This paper will describe the key elements of the product-oriented ground data system development approach citing past examples of reuse across mission operations systems. The paper will then outline a new generation of processing modules and systems using a cloud-based architecture that will afford up to an order of magnitude in cost reduction and improved reliability and flexibility over present generation systems.