Operations
The TSC supports the operation of flight experiments in real-time. This function includes receiving and transmitting raw or processed experiment data, planning information and timeline data, tracking data, and voice communications.
Experiment equipment measurements downlinked throughout the mission to the HOSC and /or MCC-H are routed to the TSC facility. The real-time display and storage capability for data requires an extensive amount of planning and preparation. Not only do individual experiments expect data return, but often several experiments having different data types and formats must be simultaneously interleaved into a single data stream. The complexity of multiple experiment data handling and processing demands coordination with the Payload Developer (PD) to satisfy requirements.
Support Team:
PDs use the TSC to monitor and control their experiments while they are being performed in orbit. Each experiment team is provided a voice intercommunication system that allows conversation with other personnel in the JSC TSC, POIC/POCC and/or MCC-H. Communication with ISS/STS can be accomplished only with prior coordination with the POIC/POCC. The television system displays video downlinked from the STS, ISS, or experiment video cameras. Experiment data are provided to the PDs for post-payload activity analysis. Similar flow exists for STS supported missions.
The JSC TSC, functioning as an extension of the POIC, is responsible and reports to the Payload Operations Director (POD), who has the prime overall responsibility of mission execution with regard to payloads for ISS. STS support will have its MCC-H counterparts. Real-time coordination and support between the individual PD teams supported by the TSC and the POIC and MCC-H cadre will be in accordance with established procedures as defined in the applicable Payload Operations Handbook (POH) and Joint Operation Integration Procedure (JOIP).
Experiment Hardware Testing and Verfication
The TSC supports hardware testing and verification to ensure that the expected outputs of various experiment packages are produced. In addition, payload commands to various pieces of experiment hardware can also be tested. This type of testing will be provided to the PDs with experiment hardware located at an operations test bed or at remote locations. Experiment Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) Operations and Checkout
The TSC will support EGSE belonging to PDs residing in the TSC. Support of EGSE is defined as having the capability to route data to or from EGSE and ensure that the data routed to the EGSE is the data that is expected. The TSC is able to measure data quality and test the reception of the data from the EGSE. The TSC is not responsible for the EGSE processing the data correctly.
Simulations
The TSC maintains the ability to interface with local and remote ISS simulators, STS simulators, and crew training facilities. The coordinator for an assigned payload/ mission/increment schedules a series of simulations, each having a duration in which a portion of the in-flight timeline is followed.
Ground support personnel receive workstation training to become familiar with data displays and the communications networks. They use these to monitor experiments /payloads during simulations in preparation for real-time in-flight monitoring and communication with the crew. JSC TSC Operations personnel assist during the simulations to refine protocols, data retrieval capabilities, and communication procedures. A substantial amount of time is spent during simulations preparing for contingency operations, which have proven to be extremely valuable during flight in the event occurrences such as a system failure or data acquisition conflicts.
Ground Data Systems Reconfiguration and Checkout
TSC software and hardware undergo reconfiguration from time to time to support the various flights and training scenarios. The TSC has the resources to build and test software without interrupting the ongoing tasks of continuous operations and training. The software is then loaded into the existing real-time systems without any service disruption. Hardware reconfiguration requires the ability to test new configurations prior to the reconfigurations of the real-time or training systems.
Data Requirements Document (DRD)
The data requirements approved for flight experiments/payloads supported in the TSC are defined in an increment/mission-specific DRD. This document establishes the baseline requirements for ground system data acquisition and processing as well as the need for specific hardware and software for the following TSC support activities: database generation, real-time and near-real-time processing, data display, and data products formatting and delivery.
Data collection and processing requirements are addressed for experiment certification, payload assembly and verification, science verification, crew training, off-line and on-line checkout at remote sites, pre-flight and post-flight baseline data collection and flight support operations. Data consist not only of digital telemetry but also of audio and video information.
The JSC TSC, functioning as an extension of the POIC, is responsible and reports to the Payload Operations Director (POD), who has the prime overall responsibility of mission execution with regard to payloads for ISS. STS support will have its MCC-H counterparts. Real-time coordination and support between the individual PD teams supported by the TSC and the POIC and MCC-H cadre will be in accordance with established procedures as defined in the applicable Payload Operations Handbook (POH) and Joint Operation Integration Procedure (JOIP).
Experiment Hardware Testing and Verfication
The TSC supports hardware testing and verification to ensure that the expected outputs of various experiment packages are produced. In addition, payload commands to various pieces of experiment hardware can also be tested. This type of testing will be provided to the PDs with experiment hardware located at an operations test bed or at remote locations. Experiment Ground Support Equipment (EGSE) Operations and Checkout
The TSC will support EGSE belonging to PDs residing in the TSC. Support of EGSE is defined as having the capability to route data to or from EGSE and ensure that the data routed to the EGSE is the data that is expected. The TSC is able to measure data quality and test the reception of the data from the EGSE. The TSC is not responsible for the EGSE processing the data correctly.
Simulations
The TSC maintains the ability to interface with local and remote ISS simulators, STS simulators, and crew training facilities. The coordinator for an assigned payload/ mission/increment schedules a series of simulations, each having a duration in which a portion of the in-flight timeline is followed.
Ground support personnel receive workstation training to become familiar with data displays and the communications networks. They use these to monitor experiments /payloads during simulations in preparation for real-time in-flight monitoring and communication with the crew. JSC TSC Operations personnel assist during the simulations to refine protocols, data retrieval capabilities, and communication procedures. A substantial amount of time is spent during simulations preparing for contingency operations, which have proven to be extremely valuable during flight in the event occurrences such as a system failure or data acquisition conflicts.
Ground Data Systems Reconfiguration and Checkout
TSC software and hardware undergo reconfiguration from time to time to support the various flights and training scenarios. The TSC has the resources to build and test software without interrupting the ongoing tasks of continuous operations and training. The software is then loaded into the existing real-time systems without any service disruption. Hardware reconfiguration requires the ability to test new configurations prior to the reconfigurations of the real-time or training systems.
Data Requirements Document (DRD)
The data requirements approved for flight experiments/payloads supported in the TSC are defined in an increment/mission-specific DRD. This document establishes the baseline requirements for ground system data acquisition and processing as well as the need for specific hardware and software for the following TSC support activities: database generation, real-time and near-real-time processing, data display, and data products formatting and delivery.
Data collection and processing requirements are addressed for experiment certification, payload assembly and verification, science verification, crew training, off-line and on-line checkout at remote sites, pre-flight and post-flight baseline data collection and flight support operations. Data consist not only of digital telemetry but also of audio and video information.
