Introduction to Space Mission Operations with Foundation Day

Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd and Catena Space are proud to announce our 4th annual Space Mission Operations Course (SMOC), a practical course to provide participants with both a theoretical understanding of Space Mission Operations and hands-on exercises.

The programme will start with a SMOC Foundation Day on 3 June 2019 to bring you up to speed on the basic concepts underlying the course. The in-depth course will then run for four days from 4-7 June 2019 in beautiful Cornwall. The Foundation Day and SMOC can be booked separately, or as a package.

Course registration for the SMOC Foundation Day includes:

• 1-day course covering spacecraft basics, orbital mechanics and ground stations; taught by industry professionals
• Digital version of course materials
• Transport between Falmouth and Goonhilly Earth Station
• Refreshments and lunch on-site

Course registration for SMOC includes:

• 4-day course around space mission operations, taught by industry professionals
• Hands-on exercises for immersive learning
• Digital version of course materials
• Welcome reception and dinner (date TBC)
• Refreshments and lunch on-site, each day
• Mid-week social activity
• Tour of Goonhilly Earth Station
• Transport between Falmouth and Goonhilly Earth Station

Both the SMOC Foundation Day and full course are hosted at Goonhilly Earth Station, a working ground station. Attendees will be able to:

• Describe the major functions of space operations systems (and requirements, constraints)
• Identify the main parts of a space mission communications network
• Understand basic satellite communications principles and determine and analyse the key parameters of system design
• Complete link budget calculations and assess trade-off issues with other aspects of mission design
• Define key tasks to be performed by mission planners and operators through the mission lifetime
• Appreciate the distinctive aspects of operations approaches in ground and space segment
• Understand overall system architecture from a data flow point of view
• Explain the main differences between conventional commercial satellite operations, and emerging low cost approaches
• Understand how telemetry and telecommanding are performed in typical mission operations centres

This course is for you if

- you are a recent graduate or new post-graduate student wanting an understanding of the space sector

- you are an engineer moving into the space sector

- you work in the space sector and need an understanding of space mission operations

The course is delivered by industry practitioners and academic staff with a breadth of experience within the sector.

Tickets & Logistics

Places are limited and early booking is advised. More information on travel and accommodation will be published closer to the time.