Spacecraft Operations

What it is about

You learn the fundamentals and practice of spacecraft operations management: from mission phases, roles and procedures to ground stations and communication basics up to flight dynamics, onboard systems and anomaly analysis. In the end you will be able to describe mission operations processes, evaluate communication and ground station designs, apply simple orbit maneuvers and link budgets, as well as analyze telemetry anomalies in a fault-tolerant manner and propose countermeasures.

What you will be able to do

• Define and explain roles, phases and processes of mission operations
• Describe space standardization processes (e.g. PUS/ECSS/CCSDS)
• Evaluate trade-offs in ground stations and satellite communication
• Describe essential elements of critical onboard subsystems
• Apply principles of orbital dynamics to operational tasks
• Analyze mission-ground systems using link budgets
• Analyze telemetry anomalies and propose remediation approaches

What the module consists of

• VorlesungConveying the technical foundations and theory of the units
• Speaker Series / Guest LecturesInsights into different career fields and practical experiences
• Assignments/Worksheets (Homework)Deepening and testing understanding to prepare for the final project
• Laboratory ExercisesPractical application (GPS‑Labs) in team collaboration with a following lab report
• Final Take-Home Project / Final ReportApplication of what is learned to the analysis of a satellite anomaly and development of procedures

Teaching method

• Speaker SeriesPresentation of practical insights and career paths through guest lectures
• LecturesSystematic delivery of content on operations, communication, ground systems and flight dynamics
• Homework / WorksheetsApply and practice lecture material to prepare for the final project
• Labs with Teamwork and Individual ReportsPractical exercises (e.g. GPS verification, identification) and written documentation