Successful DRB of CRISTAL Set-1 TMTC Front-End

In October 2022, the CRISTAL TM/TC FEE Set-1 DRB meeting was concluded and deemed successful.
This TM/TC FE is including a new functionality TC authentication which distinguishes us from our competitors. Set-1 system will be shipped on 25-10-2022 to ADS, Germany.

The purpose of the TM/TC Front End is to act as a gateway for the telecommands to the on-board system and for the telemetry issued by the spacecraft. Equipment connects to the on-board computer via digital bypass interfaces also called the launch pad umbilical interfaces; to the S-Band SCOE via serial line interfaces; to the ESA/ESOC provided Network Data Interface Unit (NDIU).

Also TMTC FE acts as a gateway between Spacecraft side and EGSE side, providing the following functionalities: Translation of TM from the Transfer Frame Layer on the Spacecraft side to CCSDS packets or TM TF contained in stream socket based TCP/IP messages on the EGSE side (CCS or NDIU lite); Translation of TC to the Transfer Frame Layer on the Spacecraft side

About Copernicus CRISTAL

Copernicus is the European Union's Earth Observation Programme, looking at our planet and its environment for the benefit of Europe's citizens.

With a launch planned in 2027, the Copernicus Polar Ice and Snow Topography Altimeter, CRISTAL, mission will carry, for the first time, a dual-frequency radar altimeter, and microwave radiometer, that will measure and monitor sea-ice thickness, overlying snow depth and ice-sheet elevations. These data will support maritime operations in the polar oceans and contribute to a better understanding of climate processes. CRISTAL will also support applications related to coastal and inland waters, as well as providing observations of ocean topography.