Custom Mission Control: Supporting Next-Gen CubeSat Missions with Tailored Ground Segment Software

With CubeSats becoming increasingly advanced, operators are facing growing limitations in off-the-shelf mission operation tools. This challenge became especially critical during the development of their RADCUBE and VIREO missions. Both missions relied on fully custom-built CubeSats with unique hardware and communication configurations, which meant no commercial solutions could meet the requirements for satellite operations, testing environments, and ground segment integration.

The company needed a fully customisable Mission Operation Center software capable of managing the entire mission lifecycle. From flat-sat tests through engineering and qualification models to actual flight units, every step had to be supported by a single, scalable platform. Additionally, they had developed its own proprietary ground station with UHF and S-band capabilities. This required the mission operations software to handle real-time antenna positioning, signal decoding, and telemetry visualisation, all compliant with CCSDS and ECSS standards. The system also needed to support future expansion to multiple ground stations and satellite missions, demanding a modular and future-proof architecture.

To address these unique demands, the team led the design and development of a fully custom Mission Operation Center software tailored specifically to the needs of the client. The solution covered everything from satellite control and data handling to ground station automation and mission testing environments.

The software supported multi-satellite and multi-ground-station architectures from day one, laying the foundation for scalable mission operations. Key functionalities included full telemetry downlink and decoding, telecommand generation, scheduling, and real-time antenna control. This allowed operators to seamlessly manage all aspects of mission execution from a single interface.

Advanced visualisation dashboards provided intuitive access to both operational and housekeeping data. This not only streamlined satellite control but also enhanced situational awareness across engineering and flight teams. Beyond live operations, the system played a critical role in validation and testing phases by supporting simulations with engineering and qualification models, ensuring a consistent pipeline from early development to in-orbit operations.

The Mission Operation Center software became a strategic asset, successfully supporting the full missions of both RADCUBE and VIREO satellites. It was tested and validated across all RADCUBE models, BB, flat-sat EM, EQM, and FM, demonstrating reliability throughout every development and operational phase.

By enabling real-time telemetry monitoring, automated ground station tasks, and seamless telecommand execution, the platform significantly reduced manual operations and cut operator workload. These capabilities streamlined mission control processes and increased overall efficiency.

With built-in scalability, the system allowed the client to integrate new satellite missions with minimal overhead. Its robust architecture and high-performance components positioned it as a model for future mission control frameworks, adaptable to both commercial and academic contexts.

Most importantly, the project demonstrated the power of tailored mission operations systems in enabling the next generation of CubeSat missions. The client gained not just a software platform, but a long-term technological foundation for continued innovation and mission success.