ExoMars Rover Operation Control Centre Design Concept and Simulations
Trucco, R.1; Trichilo, M.1; Martino, M.1; Franceschetti, P.2; Joudrier, L.3
1ALTEC S.p.A.; 2Thales Alenia Space Italia; 3ESA/ESTEC
The ExoMars Rover Operations Control Centre (ROCC) located at ALTEC (Italy) and is responsible for :
Providing remote support to ESOC/MOC during all mission phases from pre-launch up to the end of EDL phase, assessing Rover & PPL data during periodic checkout and addressing any issue affecting the Rover& PPL that could arise during this long period (i.e. software update if required). Operations activities withthe Rover are managed by ESOC/MOC based on the input provided by ROCC.After the first communication session establishment between Rover and ground, an official operations handover occurs between ESOC/MOC and ROCC.
Performing full Rover Mission Operations (including science operations) for the entire Surface operations phase. Science team involved in mission operations are located in the ROCC, remotely supported by their home base teams. ESOC/MOC will support the ROCC for all communication management/scheduling related to the usage of the ESA G/Ss and NASA provided communication services (DSN and NRO)
The ROCC operations process shall be based on day-to-day commanding of the Rover and PPL, to increase the return of then mission and to maximize the usage of the Rover during its nominal mission lifetime.
This paper describes the design concept of the ExoMars Rover Operation Control Centre with evidence to the Rover Operation Control System and the development activities supported by software simulators and physical models.
The Rover Operation Control System will follow a staggered development approach implementing in each phase of the development new functions and/or improvements of those already implemented.
In parallel to the Rover Operation Control System, the Ground Segment Simulator will be developed to simulate the communication chain between the ROCC and the Rover.
The test environment will be completed with the software simulator of the and/or the physical models of the Rover to be operated within the simulator of the Mars terrain.