223 pgs, 1991 Taylor & Francis
ISBN 978-0850668605

As remote-sensing missions become longer, the mission operating system (MOS) may determine the entire spacecraft, instrument, and ground system design -- creating the need for this definitive description of available MOSs. Wall and Ledbetter begin with an overview of remote-sensing mission concepts and design processes, followed by a look at the essential elements of any MOS. Throughout the chapters are examples from various missions, but Chapter 7 takes the Magellan mission to Venus as an example bringing all the elements together. Illustrations include five color photographs reconstructed from sensor data.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Basics of Remote-Sensing Missions
2. Design Methodology for Operations Systems
3. Organization, Management, and Staffing
4. The Uplink Process
5. The Downlink Process
6. Anomalies, Contingency Plans, and Adaptivity
7. An Example - The Magellan Mission Operations
8. The Future of Mission Operations Systems