The ground segment is led by the Earth Observation Center (EOC) and the German Space Operations Center (GSOC) at DLR. EOC has long experience with data from ground-based, airborne, and spaceborne (hyperspectral) instruments, whereas GSOC controls and commands several satellite missions. The main tasks of the DLR institutes are:
- Mission operations, generating and sending telecommands to and receiving telemetry, flight dynamics
- Payload data reception, processing, archiving and user interface
- Processor development, in-flight calibration and quality control activities
Mission Operation System
In the multi-mission control center in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, the satellite is operated by generating and sending telecommands and receiving telemetry through the S-band ground station in Weilheim, Germany, with 9 m to 15 m antenna systems. The GSOC multi-mission infrastructure is responsible for flight dynamics as well as flight operations with sequence-of-events planning.
Payload Ground System
A major task is to arrange user observation requests and to plan activities such as instrument data downlinks, orbit manoeuvres, and operations-related tasks in a conflict-free timeline that does not violate resource constraints. This scheduling is based on predicted satellite position and attitude information. Instrument data is received through the X-band ground station in Neustrelitz, Germany, during five communication contacts with a total duration of 30 minutes per day.
Processor and Calibration/Quality Control System
In the multi-mission infrastructure these data are operationally processed, catalogued, archived long-term, and disseminated to users to meet web-based observation and catalogue product requests. The fully-automatic processing chain is capable of generating quality-controlled calibrated hyperspectral data products at several processing levels including orthorectification and atmospheric correction. These tasks are complemented by spectral and radiometric calibration of the sensor using satellite equipment and geometric calibration with calibration sites.