Report on Earth Observation Missions and Ground Station Management using On-Demand Satellite Operation System

TL;DR

This paper discusses Tohoku University's development of an on-demand satellite operation system that enables efficient management of multiple Earth observation satellites and ground stations through cloud-based functions and automation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel cloud-based satellite and ground station management system that supports simultaneous operations of multiple satellites with automated command generation.

Findings

Managed up to eight satellites simultaneously in 2022

Implemented cloud-based management functions for efficiency

Achieved automatic command generation for satellite operations

Abstract

Since the launch of its first satellite in 2009, Tohoku University has continuously developed and operated Earth observation satellites and engineering demonstration satellites in the 50cm-class and CubeSat-class (up to 3U). The 50cm-class satellite launched into operation in 2021 enabled efficient operations through cloud-based management functions for both the satellite and ground stations, including automatic command generation. By 2022, up to eight operational satellites were simultaneously managed on a daily basis using three ground stations (Sendai, Hakodate, and Sweden). This paper presents the operational achievements to date and introduces the system that supports efficient satellite operations