Space Mission Operations
Course Description
This course introduces the space mission development from the space operators point-of-view. Often ignored until later in the development cycle, this mission operator perspective allows the development of a cost effective mission across all mission elements. Lessons explore the challenge of designing and implementing space mission operations in a practical, cost-effective way in the real world. Taking a functional approach, the course provides an in-depth view of the entirety of space mission operations, including the concept of operations and all functions that are performed in support of a space mission. Discussions focus on initial requirements definition, operations concept development, functional allocation among spacecraft, payload, ground system and operators. Students get extensive hands-on experience with a variety of mission operations modeling tools to understand physical constraints and appreciate the impact of programmatic trade-offs. Case studies of ongoing NASA, DoD and commercial missions are examined.
Course Objectives:
At the end of this course the student should be able to…
- Define and explain the critical activities of space mission operations
- Develop a mission concept of operations (ConOps) and be able to critically analyze one of these key documents
- Describe the elements that contribute to mission operations complexity and perform trade-off analyses to reduce that complexity
- Apply principles of orbital mechanics to plan and implement key operations activities
- Describe and analyze key elements of mission ground systems including communication link budgets
- Compare and contrast operations concepts for military, civil, scientific and human space missions
- Develop the planning, execution and support requirements for real-time space mission operations
Course Topics
- Mission Operations Overview
- Operations Planning
- Tracking and Navigation
- Mission Data Receipt and Delivery
- Spacecraft Support and Analysis
- Flight Control and Training
Unique Features of Online Course
- 18 guided lectures – presented by several of TSTI’s award winning instructors; the equivalent of a semester-long course
- Continuous feedback on your progress through lesson review questions and quizzes
- Explore each topic in-depth via exercises and case studies using missions operations modeling tools to apply what you’ve learned each step of the way
- 100% self-paced – you have up to 6 months to complete the course on your own time when it is convenient for you!
- 24/7 access to all course material through our exclusive learning management system
- Certificate of Completion with 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
- Earn 80% on the final exam and receive a Certified Space Operations Engineer digital badge that can be shared on social media