a.i. solutions has used its commercial application, FreeFlyer, as the core engine to develop a variety of mission-specific ground software used in spacecraft operations and has been configured with a number of commercial and government proprietary TT&C systems. FreeFlyer is a single integrated tool that has all standard Flight Dynamics functionality. FreeFlyer has built-in interfaces that provide connectivity to any external tool used during spacecraft mission design and operations (e.g. MATLAB®, databases, email, sockets, and any ASCII or binary file). FreeFlyer’s Extensions functionality allows users to “extend’ the built-in capabilities with legacy, proprietary, or other customized components.
As spacecraft mission lifetimes grow, and the space environment they operate in continues to evolve, ground system architectures need to be scalable and flexible to meet tomorrow’s challenges. To meet these challenges, a.i. solutions has developed FreeFlyer-based systems using an open or Services Oriented Architecture (SOA). Using a SOA enables a group of loosely coupled “services” to communicate with each other, with well-defined, platform-independent interfaces.
a.i. solutions has developed FreeFlyer-based systems to support spacecraft in all orbit regimes. Several of these systems include:
- GPS Launch and Early Orbit, Anomaly Resolutions and Disposal Operations (LADO) Mission Planning Element (MPE), which provides flight dynamics operations for all GPS satellites when the satellite is operating in a non-nominal orbit or attitude state, such as during the ascent phase, end-of-life disposal, and for anomalous and contingency operations.
- Automated Conjunction Assessment System (AutoCAS), which provides conjunction risk assessment and mitigation operations for all NASA robotic missions, including the geosynchronous Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) fleet and the low-earth orbit Earth Observation System (EOS) Constellation. The a.i. solutions-developed AutoCAS assesses collision threat from objects in the Space Object Catalogue, which is maintained by US Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
- LandSat Data Continuity Mission (LDCM)/Flight Dynamics Subsystem, which provides orbit and attitude determination, maneuver planning, orbit products generation for LDCM.