CHEOPS Ground Segment: Systems and Automation for Mission and Science Operations

TL;DR

This paper describes the design, automation, and operational subsystems of the CHEOPS mission's ground segment, highlighting its unique consortium-based management and providing insights for future small space missions.

Contribution

It presents a detailed overview of CHEOPS ground segment systems and automation, serving as a reference for future small and independent space missions.

Findings

Successful implementation of autonomous operational subsystems

Effective automation framework for mission and science operations

Potential for adaptation in future small satellite missions

Abstract

The CHEOPS, the first ESA small-class mission, has been performing photometric astronomical observations with a particular emphasis on exoplanetary science for the past five years. A distinctive feature of CHEOPS is that the responsibility for all operational aspects of the mission lies with the consortium rather than ESA. As a result, all subsystems, their architecture, and operational processes have been independently developed and tailored specifically to CHEOPS. This paper offers an overview of the CHEOPS operational subsystems, the design, and the automation framework that compose the two main components of the CHEOPS ground segment: the MOC and the SOC. This comprehensive description of the CHEOPS workflow aims to serve as a reference and potential source of inspiration for future small and/or independent space missions.