@phdthesis{Schmidt2011, author = {Schmidt, Marco}, title = {Ground Station Networks for Efficient Operation of Distributed Small Satellite Systems}, isbn = {978-3-923959-77-8}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-4984}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-64999}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2011}, abstract = {The field of small satellite formations and constellations attracted growing attention, based on recent advances in small satellite engineering. The utilization of distributed space systems allows the realization of innovative applications and will enable improved temporal and spatial resolution in observation scenarios. On the other side, this new paradigm imposes a variety of research challenges. In this monograph new networking concepts for space missions are presented, using networks of ground stations. The developed approaches combine ground station resources in a coordinated way to achieve more robust and efficient communication links. Within this thesis, the following topics were elaborated to improve the performance in distributed space missions: Appropriate scheduling of contact windows in a distributed ground system is a necessary process to avoid low utilization of ground stations. The theoretical basis for the novel concept of redundant scheduling was elaborated in detail. Additionally to the presented algorithm was a scheduling system implemented, its performance was tested extensively with real world scheduling problems. In the scope of data management, a system was developed which autonomously synchronizes data frames in ground station networks and uses this information to detect and correct transmission errors. The system was validated with hardware in the loop experiments, demonstrating the benefits of the developed approach.}, subject = {Kleinsatellit}, language = {en} }