Lorenzo Arona

The space data association (SDA), an association of global satellite operators working to ensure a controlled, reliable, and efficient space environment, has run a survey among its members to gather data on their Conjunction Assessment concept of operations. These include collision avoidance Go/No-Go metrics, collision avoidance targets, and operational constraints. This paper assesses the various positional accuracy requirements of space situational awareness (SSA) data associated with each of… Show more

The space data association (SDA), an association of global satellite operators working to ensure a controlled, reliable, and efficient space environment, has run a survey among its members to gather data on their Conjunction Assessment concept of operations. These include collision avoidance Go/No-Go metrics, collision avoidance targets, and operational constraints. This paper assesses the various positional accuracy requirements of space situational awareness (SSA) data associated with each of these diverse "Go/No-Go" metrics as employed in the conjunction mitigation processes used for space traffic coordination and spaced traffic management. Show less

Avanti is a British operator of geostationary communications spacecraft. From its inception in 2002, the company evolved into a significant regional operator, which continues to be at the forefront of technological advancement in the industry. Nimbleness to relocate its satellites in order to respond to shifting business needs is part of Avanti's success story. Satellite relocations are non-routine operations that—by their own nature—raise more risks than the routine activities. Avanti has… Show more

Avanti is a British operator of geostationary communications spacecraft. From its inception in 2002, the company evolved into a significant regional operator, which continues to be at the forefront of technological advancement in the industry. Nimbleness to relocate its satellites in order to respond to shifting business needs is part of Avanti's success story. Satellite relocations are non-routine operations that—by their own nature—raise more risks than the routine activities. Avanti has developed a framework to assess the operational and regulatory risks associated with these operations and mitigate them through careful planning and meticulous execution. In our experience, regulatory requirements often translate into operational constraints, and operational risks often require regulatory support for an effective mitigation. For this reason, safe non-routine operations require transparency, clear communications, and a cooperative mindset among all teams. Similarly, communications to third parties is crucial to ensure the safety of non-routine operations. Disseminating operational products to fellow operators, watchdogs, and service providers allows Avanti to mitigate both the risk of close approach and the risk of radio-frequency interference. Avanti happily shares its experience in order to foster collaboration among players, promote industry best practices, and contribute to the safety of the space environment. Show less

Avanti Communications Group is a leading satellite operator providing Ka-band satellite data communications services, distributed through Service Providers in 118 countries across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

From its new Satellite Operations Centre (SOC) facility, located on Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, Avanti controls its fleet of geosynchronous High Throughput Satellites (HTS) with in-built capacity to further expand their operational fleet.

This paper… Show more

Avanti Communications Group is a leading satellite operator providing Ka-band satellite data communications services, distributed through Service Providers in 118 countries across the UK, Europe, Middle East and Africa.

From its new Satellite Operations Centre (SOC) facility, located on Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall, Avanti controls its fleet of geosynchronous High Throughput Satellites (HTS) with in-built capacity to further expand their operational fleet.

This paper discusses the challenges Avanti faced and overcame through the development of their Satellite Operations capability and the creation of two new Satellite Operations Centres (prime and backup), culminating in a successful transition to in-house satellite operations.

The creation of a Satellite Operations Centre from scratch requires a solid vision and determination to achieve, with many challenges along the way.

This paper examines some of the issues faced and how Avanti overcame them, with a focus on satellite operations.

For example, the paper looks at:
• Positioning and building a new in-house Satellite Control Centre;
• Recruitment of experienced specialist staff and certification methods implemented;
• Procurement and integration of a resilient satellite control system;
• Definition of a Concept of Operations;
• Development of efficient satellite control procedures and Flight Dynamics procedures;
• Managed handover from previous operator;
• Development of 24-7 satellite control including all support mechanisms.

The paper also examines the future path for Avanti, including ‘Lights Out’ operations. This will involve a planned, gradual increase in automation, including improved monitoring and alarming systems, automated trending and reporting and further integration of planning and scheduling tools. There is also scope to further increase non-regression testing of software releases and satellite procedures. The paper examines these issues in further detail.

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The European Space Agency probe Venus Express successfully completed in October 2010 its last and most ambitious Aerodynamic Drag Experiment Campaign to date. The campaign was designed to provide as much information as possible about the upper level of the atmosphere of Venus, at height varying between 165 and 185 km from the surface. At these altitudes, the spacecraft experiences a disturbing aerodynamic torque that must be compensated by the Attitude Control System by varying the angular… Show more

The European Space Agency probe Venus Express successfully completed in October 2010 its last and most ambitious Aerodynamic Drag Experiment Campaign to date. The campaign was designed to provide as much information as possible about the upper level of the atmosphere of Venus, at height varying between 165 and 185 km from the surface. At these altitudes, the spacecraft experiences a disturbing aerodynamic torque that must be compensated by the Attitude Control System by varying the angular momentum of the onboard reaction wheels. By studying the 8 Hz telemetry data gathered around pericentre, the values of the atmospheric density and of the accommodation coefficient can be deduced. Show less

This paper addresses a methodology to compute homoclinic and
heteroclinic orbits between hyperbolic invariant tori of Hamiltonian systems.
To illustrate the procedure, we focus the presentation on an aspect of libration
point mission design, where zero cost transfer trajectories (heteroclinic orbits)
are of special relevance.