Working Group E

Leaping into the Future: Innovations and Technological Advances for sustainable Next Generation Ground System Architectures

Description

This WG will continue the collaborative discussions on the evolution of future ground systems, building on the successful establishment of commercial services for satellite operations from the previous WG Session at the GSAW 2024. It will delve into the technologies, services, and acquisition strategies required to integrate new space services into government ground enterprises. By exploring hybrid models that combine both government and commercial services, we aim to identify solutions for more agile, efficient, and resilient ground operations.

The WG will actively engage a diverse group of government agencies, industry leaders, and international partners to reimagine the government/contractor relationship. Discussions will focus on emerging technologies, business services, and the regulatory and cultural shifts necessary to successfully incorporate commercial services into the satellite ground enterprise.

Of particular interest will be the exploration of disruptive innovations—including AI/ML capabilities—that promise to transform ground and flight systems into a more efficient, cost effective, and sustainable architecture. Attendees will gain actionable insights on acquisition approaches, best practices for integrating commercial services, and the strategic shifts needed to capitalize on new technologies securely and affordably.

Proposed Format:

The WG will commence with updates from government organizations describing recent activities, challenges, and potential solutions, followed by a lively interactive discussion. The WG will break into focus groups to look at different aspects of innovations and disruptive technology challenges facing the ground enterprise at the present, in the near, and not-sonear, future. The teams will work on addressing difficult questions such as:

● What elements of ground systems architectures are ripe to undergo disruptive technological advances?

● What are the organizational and technological barriers against adopting new technologies in government? How can we fix that?

● How does the government take advantage of rapid innovations and commoditization of commercial space services?

● How does the government position itself to effectively acquire ground services rather than developing and purchasing ground systems?

● How does the government take advantage of industry’s willingness to invest in new ideas and take business and technological risks?

Dr. Ra’ad Saleh, NOAA, Heather Kilcoyne, NOAA, and, Dr. Hamid Akbarian, NASA

Biographies

Dr. Ra’ad Saleh is a staff Engineer with the System Architecture and Engineering Office (SAE) of NESDIS, NOAA. Before NOAA, Ra’ad was the USGS as the Innovation Lead with the EROS Calibration and Validation Center of Excellence; and earlier with the Astrogeology Science Center, in Flagstaff, AZ, working on planetary surface mapping in support of planetary space exploration. Ra’ad has several publications on ground systems, enterprise architecture, and advanced satellite sensing systems and automation.

Heather Kilcoyne is the Director of the Office of Common Services. Heather served in ground systems leadership roles for multiple NESDIS missions, such as the NPOESS, JPSS, and the GOES R Series. She established a process to efficiently incorporate technological improvements into the operational software. She continues to provide insight into the science community and their current processes in support of NESDIS’s Offices and Programs.

Dr. Hamid Akbarian is Ground Systems Manager at Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA. Hamid is currently leading the Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2 team using his extensive experience in large scale projects in the areas of command & control, flight & ground software, satellite communication, networking, and HW/SW integration. Hamid has several publications on space communications, AI/ML methods and algorithms, and SW engineering.