Satellite Tasking via a Tablet Computer

Abstract

Tablet computing has the potential to reshape the scope of situational awareness. This is because application developers have derived uses for tablet devices that the original inventors did not intend and could not have imagined. One such application is to provide the ability for the warfighter to directly request aerial images from overhead assets, including unmanned aerial vehicles or satellites. Advancements in mobile technology and network connectivity have helped to overcome the challenges of information delivery, but there remains the challenge of real-time information. This thesis examines the concept of tablet-based information requests for real-time satellite tasking. As a proof-of concept, a tablet-based application is developed that enables the user to task a satellite system by interacting with a map. Requests are sent and processed by a server application and are then routed to the appropriate asset. Real-time response to the request is emulated using a detailed simulation model of a control moment gyroscope actuated spacecraft. Simulated images and spacecraft attitude errors are used to mimic the data collection process. This information is uploaded to the server for retrieval by the tablet application, thereby completing the request cycle and demonstrating the feasibility of remote satellite tasking using a tablet computer.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1008950

Entities

People

  • Courtney A. Guy

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Astronautics
  • Cognitive Systems Engineering
  • Computer Programming
  • Computers
  • Control Systems
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Mobile Operating Systems
  • Object-Oriented Programming Language
  • Operating Systems
  • Satellite Imaging
  • Situational Awareness
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Orbits
  • Systems Engineering
  • Tablet Computers
  • World Geodetic System

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

Readers

  • Agent-Based Social Robotics and Mobile-Assisted Learning in Virtual Environments.
  • Computer Networking
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Space
  • Space - Satellites
  • Space - Spacecraft Maneuvers