What's it like to fly a satellite?

[aerohead_18]

I have always wondered what is entailed in the day-to-day operation of a satellite. There doesn't seem to be a whole lot out there about the people who fly the thousands of spacecraft on orbit today and what their job is like. What exactly are the controllers in the ground stations doing at their terminals? What parameters are they monitoring? Are they constantly uplinking commands to keep the spacecraft functioning? Are there checklists the controllers have to run through each day/week/month/etc.? Do they have to make many control inputs, or is it mostly just a matter of watching and waiting for something to go wrong?

 

[rootone]

Most satellites, such as GPS ones for example, operate largely autonomously, with small adjustments from controllers on Earth when things are not as expected.
There are obvious exceptions to that like the Hubble telescope which has a long queue of requests for access and control.

 

[NatSusan]

As someone who has worked in the aerospace industry, I can shed some light on the day-to-day operations of a satellite. The ground station controllers play a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the satellite. Their job is to monitor the satellite's health and status, and make any necessary adjustments to keep it operating effectively.

The controllers are constantly monitoring various parameters such as the satellite's position, speed, altitude, and power levels. They also keep a close eye on the satellite's temperature, pressure, and other critical systems. This information is transmitted to the controllers through telemetry data, which is essentially a stream of real-time information from the satellite.

Based on this data, the controllers have to make decisions on whether to uplink commands to the satellite or not. These commands can include adjusting the satellite's orbit, changing its attitude, or activating certain systems on board. The controllers also have to ensure that the satellite is pointed in the right direction to receive and transmit signals.

In addition to monitoring and controlling the satellite, the controllers also have to go through checklists on a regular basis. These checklists cover various procedures such as system checks, power management, and communication checks. They also have to perform maintenance tasks and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

Overall, the job of a ground station controller is a mix of monitoring, decision-making, and problem-solving. While they may not have to make control inputs as frequently, they are always prepared to take action if something goes wrong. It's a challenging but rewarding job that requires a high level of technical expertise and attention to detail.