Customer Case Study
Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (SSL)
The SSL Mission Operations team uses Epsilon3 to manage cutting-edge space science and exploration missions. In close partnership with NASA, they depend on Epsilon3 to track the launch, deployment, and health of multiple spacecraft. Here’s an example of a complex mission operations procedure.
Berkeley SSL + Epsilon3
“Epsilon3, first and foremost, allows us to scale. You can’t win that many [NASA] missions and be writing paper procedures for all of them.”
— Abhi Tripathi, Director of Mission Operations
“We hooked up our spacecraft’s real-time telemetry so that our operators can see it right inside the procedure. It saves them quite a bit of work.”
— Waylon Peng, Ground Software Engineer
“The conditional logic that can be added to procedures is really helpful, especially for more complex or high-risk ones. Being able to require specific steps based on the results of a telemetry check is super useful.”
— Brett Bonine, Mission Operations Engineer
“During a launch campaign, there will be 30-40 engineers, scientists, and people from NASA headquarters present. Epsilon3 will allow us all to see exactly what step we are on.”
— Mark Lewis, Mission Operations Manager
What is SSL?
The Space Sciences Laboratory operates world class science missions through their Mission Operations System. This system includes a Mission Operations Center, Ground Station Network, Flight Dynamics and Science Data Center.
They recently won five new NASA missions that require them to manage advanced spacecraft, including satellites on interplanetary trajectories. Epsilon3 is helping them plan, execute, and analyze complex ground operations.
SSL’s Upcoming NASA Missions
ESCAPADE: Twin photon spacecraft (built by Rocket Lab) that will study the transfer of solar wind energy through Mars’ unique hybrid magnetosphere. SSL is responsible for mission management, systems engineering, navigation, operations, and science data processing.
UVEX: An orbiting space telescope that will conduct the first all-sky survey of ultraviolet (UV) sources in the cosmos, providing valuable information on how galaxies and stars evolve. NASA selected the SSL to run this $300 million satellite mission.
