Mission Control Concepts for Robotic Operations (MICCRO)

Abstract

This paper gives an overview of the concept developed within the study “Mission Control Concepts for Robotic Operations (MICCRO) ” aiming to find a representative mission control concept for robotic space missions. After presenting these conceptual ideas developed in project phase I, the design, planned utilization and current integration status of a demonstration prototype developed in project phase II to verify the concept in a realistic setup is explained. This end-to-end system based on an on orbit servicing scenario is under integration at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany. Using this facility, aspects like the handovers between mission phases and consequence on roles and responsibilities can be assessed. A particular emphasis is also put on new functional components like operator support functions on ground or an integrated Mission Control System (MCS) for the satellite platform and the robot in space. I.