Efficient SmallSat Operation Using SciBox35th Annual Small Satellite ConferenceSSC21-I-06Presenter:Rafael M. “Ralf” PerezMission Systems EngineerThe Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)Space Exploration Sector

Contributors: Kristin Fretz, Ralf Perez, Teck Choo, Annette Mirantes, Warren Chen

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What is SciBox?• SciBox is an autonomous planning and scheduling

software that streamlines the satellite command process- Identifies event occurrences for science, ground station contacts,

eclipse periods, and any other predictable phenomenon or event- Ingests satellite configuration schedules from multiple sources for the

science instrument, radio, attitude, heaters, etc.- Enforces operational flight constraints to protect critical or sensitive

hardware, protect high value external resources, etc.- Monitors real-time and playback satellite and ground telemetry- Simulates satellite on-orbit performance

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SciBox Evolution• SciBox was incrementally developed and demonstrated

over 20 years on a variety of APL spaceflight projects at the mission and instrument levels

- Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics & Dynamics (TIMED) – 2001 to Present

- MESSENGER (Mercury Orbiter) – 2004 to 2015- Multi-mission Bus Demonstration (MBD) – 2013 to 2015- CubeSat Signal Preprocessor Assessment & Test (CAT) – 2019 to

2021- Electrojet Zeeman Imaging Explorer (EZIE) – Launch Pending 2024

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MBD SciBox Application

PrioritySponsor Office

Ground Station

Uplink CommandsSciBox

(Autonomously managed)

Downlink TelemetryData

Processing Center

Processed TelemetryAnalysts

Objective Based User Interface

To Satellites >>>

Primary User

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CAT SciBox Application

Payload Scheduling RequirementsPayload Team

Two-Line Element SetCelesTrak / JSpOC

Contact ScheduleMission Ops Team

Diff. Drag Maneuver ReportMission Design & Navigation

Operational ConstraintsEngineering Team

Manual Diff. Drag Maneuver CommandsMission Design & Navigation

Payload Patch UpdatePayload Team

MissionOps

Command Schedule

Scheduling ConflictUplink Commands

To Ground Stations >>>

SciBox(Manually

managed by Mission Ops)

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EZIE SciBox Application

Science ObjectivesScience / Instrument Team

Orbit PredictionMission Design & Navigation

Ref SV Separation ProfileMission Design & Navigation

Daily Orbit StateMission Ops

Contact ScheduleMission Ops

Instrument Patch UpdateInstrument Ops

Operational ConstraintsEngineering Team

TLE SetJSpOC

SciBox(Autonomously

managed by Science Ops)

MissionOps

Command Schedule

Scheduling Conflict

Uplink Commands

To Ground Stations >>>

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Key Benefits of SciBox• Provides a streamlined, stable, and routine approach for

planning and commanding satellite operations• Eases the process burden of the mission operations team• Reduces the overall risk of operator or process errors• Increases system availability and responsiveness• Reduces labor costs for mission operations• Provides highly consistent data products between each

planning cycle