The Generic Data Capture Facility

Abstract

The growing complexity of space science missions is causing a dramatic increase in the data rates and volumes from spaced-based experiments, and the ground operations functions associated with handling data from these missions are growing in complexity consistent with this increase. A key requirement on the systems that provide data handling support is to control operations costs carefully while providing high-quality data capture functions. One approach to meeting this particular objective that has been taken at the Goddard Space Flight Center has been to initiate the development of a Generic Data Capture Facility (GDCF) that can provide data capture support for a variety of different types of spacecraft. The GDCF is emerging through a blend of new system development and evolution of existing systems, and when complete, it will have the capability to support the two major data formatting schemes (packet and Time-Division Multiplexed (TDM)). The specific implementations are designed to support the Gamma Ray Observatory and the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite, but the GDCF will provide the baseline system to support various new missions as they emerge.