PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
- OBJ-01: Identification and classification of the potential users of DRS. Acquisition of information on the schedule of upcoming missions which might be interested in DRS services.
- OBJ-02: Definition of a mission architecture. Mission architecture has to address how DRS services have to interface with the users communities; how many DRS satellites should be considered to comply with users communities needs.
- OBJ-03: Develop a system level architecture on top of the mission analysis foundation to define high level system and segment functional, performance and interface requirements.
- OBJ-04: Verification if the current technology, both space and ground, is already mature to support the mission or if strategic technology developments need to foreseen.
- OBJ-05: Business viability of a DRS function. Such a business viability will compare the expected turnover, both from institutional (civilian and defence initiatives) users as well as commercial users, and the CAPEX and OPEX characterizing the mission.
Challenges
- From past and current DRS missions (Artemis and TDRSS) it has been derived that possible users request a service characterised by high level reliability and availability, continuity of service and stable technology solutions.
- The market analysis performed during this study allowed to define different market segments with different needs. A more detailed analysis should start to better define some critical market segment (defence in particular) and to start, with support of ESA, a "road show" with the DRS potential users in order to present the system and commence the interaction on possible “pre-commitments” with such users.
- The architecture analysis performed allows to define different baselines for the DRS mission, taking into account the requirements of different users. Baselines are conceived using a scalable approach that allows to define different levels of complexity and costs.
In the next phase of the DRS program, taking into account the ESA suggestion, a stable configuration baseline should be defined having a reliable development plan and long term supporting plan that will give the market confidence that the DRS service will be available on a long term basis defending the investments that each single Agency has to budget.
The architectural baseline has to include all those functions which are required to migrate from a technology mission, like ARTEMIS, into a fully operational one, for example: (i) accounting and billing, (ii) system performance monitoring; (iii) service level agreements and key performance indicators; (iv) more advanced programming and planning functions required by a rapid allocation of the system resources (e.g. rapid telecommanding).
Plan
The project plan foresaw the following schedule:
- 19/10/2007 Kick Off Meeting;
- 11/12/2007 Progress Meeting n° 1;
- 12/02/2008 Mid Term Review;
- 03/04/2008 Progress Meeting n° 2;
- 16/05/2008 Final Review;
- 15/07/2008 Completion of the Study.
Current Status
The DRS study was completed in July 2008. The interest of ESA in developing a European DRS mission leads to the presentation of an Announcement of Opportunity. This invites interested European companies to present a proposal for the development of a DRS mission that should start at the end of 2008 and foresees the launch of the first two satellites (that should use piggy-back missions) during 2012.