To develop a prototype for a representative and coherent space mission reference facility between ground and space segments, to enable consistent system simulation, functional verification, operations preparation and validation.

 

Space mission integration and testing activities between space and ground segments are today decoupled, based on different simulation facilities in different environments. Indeed, although most elements and building blocks are separately available, currently no coherent environment exists to perform an initial setup at space mission level. A number of technology and organisational solutions need to be achieved (e.g. Security, performance, synchronisation) such that, favored by the convergence of the related test environments, functionalities would benefit from more coherent, more representative and better coordinated activities.

 

The activity encompasses the following tasks:

- Assess the existing interfaces between Space and Ground Segment reference facilities and their representativeness

- Assess suitability of available technologies (e.g. Network and systems scanning)

- Identify elements to be digitalized to complete a space mission comprehensive AIT environment

- Derive an approach to support File based Operation missions (EO use case ? follow-on activity and Euclid)

- Implement space and ground segments pilot digital twins with suitable architecture, required protocols and interfaces with automated?security breach assessment (Euclid use case)

- Evaluate the benefits, gaps and areas for further development/follow-up/operational use.

 

The result of this activity will:

- lead to a reduction of potential errors after delivery and related time for anomaly resolutions affecting space missions,

- facilitate Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) cooperation across sites / domains and also with industry

- reduce security risk

- produce a prototype of space and ground segment digital twins to support model based (AIT)