Launching a satellite is a significant achievement, a culmination of years of design, engineering, and testing. But the journey for satellite operators doesn't end when the rocket's engines cutoff. In fact, one of the most critical phases is just beginning: tracking the satellite from its release from the upper stage until the first contact. This"early operations phase" is a period of intense focus, full of potential risks.

Did the separation mechanism function correctly? Is the satellite tumbling uncontrollably? Is it pointing in the intended direction? These potential issues make constant monitoring and analysis by mission control a necessity. Satellite operators need to prepare well for this critical phase, as it requires working against the clock.

To mitigate the risk and keep the young mission successful early on, proactively establish a robust operational framework, consisting of:

• The creation of an operations plan from contacting the spacecraft after release to maneuvering it into the target orbit and slot,
• Reliable data acquisition strategy, from the RF antenna, onboard GNSS sensors and third-party SSA or STM services,
• Frameworks of processing chains for orbit determination, orbit propagation, correlation, conjunction screening,
• Plan validation measures, such as checking interfaces and data formats, especially when third-party providers are involved.

In the context of commercial spaceflight, there are two types of launches: Dedicated and Rideshares. The former involves a single customer or organization contracting for an entire launch vehicle, with the launch tailored to their specific needs. The latter involves multiple payloads from different operators, which allows for lower costs but also less flexibility.

When multiple objects are inserted into very similar orbits simultaneously, Space Surveillance and Tracking systems face difficulties in correlating observations and cataloging these objects accurately.

Furthermore, public providers like EU SST and Space-Track, while invaluable, typically deliver initial orbital solutions days or even weeks post-launch. This, in turn, creates a critical window that satellite operators face in having to identify and establish contact with their spacecraft. The ability to distinguish individual objects, determine their precise orbits, and, crucially, attribute those orbits to the correct spacecraft hinges on timely and accurate data sharing from the operators themselves, emphasizing the vital role of collaborative database updates.

The increased number of payloads and the potential for closely spaced orbits can make it difficult to identify and track individual satellites. Specialized services can help mitigate these risks by:

• Providing independent tracking and analysis.
• Coordinating with other operators to ensure accurate identification and tracking.
• Developing strategies for resolving potential conflicts or interference.

How do we prepare before for the Launch and Early Operations Phase?

T-30: A visibility assessment is undertaken based on the known orbital parameters around 1 month before the expected launch date. We use a network of globally distributed sensors all contributing sensors have been validated to provide optical observations of LEO objects at accuracies of 10m or better.

T-7 to T-0: Automation scripts are set up to test all systems while also ensuring an initial screening of the orbital neighborhood is performed by our team for the safety of the satellite.

In the critical days leading up to launch, satellite operators receive crucial preliminary data from their launch provider. This data provides essential insights into the anticipated launch and deployment parameters aligned with the current launch window.

With this information, initial ground-station passes can be secured, and coordination with Space Situational Awareness (SSA) partners enables the scheduling of tracking sensors for early orbit determination.

This pre-launch data exchange is vital for establishing a foundation for successful early operations, allowing for rapid response and efficient tracking in the immediate aftermath of deployment.

LEOP Support in action: OKAPI x Constellr

The last Transporter mission (T-12) launched 131 satellites to a sun-synchronous orbit on the 14th of January 2025. OKAPI:Orbits provided LEOP Support services to Constellr, who launched their SkyBee-A01 satellite in the group of satellites to 510km. The service consisted of independent satellite tracking and orbit determination to improve the satellite-ground station communications in the early hours of flight.This would enable improving the ground stations pointing to contact the spacecraft.

SkyBee-A01 is equipped with thermal infrared technology to monitor global land surface temperatures with unparalleled precision. The. launch marked the initial phase of its High-precision Versatile Ecosphere(HiVE) satellite constellation, aiming to deliver critical insights for sustainable resource management and addressing climate challenges.

Goal

Our mission was to provide critical support to Constellr during the pivotal initial hours following their satellite deployment. We supported the verification and correction of the orbital parameters, ensuring accurate tracking and enabling seamless ongoing operations. Ensuring ground communications in the first 6 hours of the flight was one of the technical objectives for this satellite.

Constraints

The visibility for optical measurements was constrained by the illumination and weather conditions, along with the elevation, which indicated that up to three visible passes per day would be feasible. Passive RF measurements, on the other hand, are independent of the illumination and weather conditions. 

Continuous support

The OKAPI Support team split into two shifts from 2 hours before until 8 hours after the launch. This way, continuous support in the most critical mission phase was ensured. Apart from RF and optical data, OKAPI:Orbits was also prepared to process any GNSS data that might be received during the early passes of the satellite.

Result

The goal was to be able to get independent TLEs within the first four revolutions after deployment. With RF observations, we were able to correct existing TLEs, proving that their accuracy was sufficient for ground station pointing. Confirmation of stable communication from Constellr with SkyBee-A01 was received approximately three hours following the initiation of the process. With the new expected passes for SkyBee-A01 happening a few hours later, the LEOP Support operations team and the sensors were moved to on hold. 

For the next few days, both the sensors and operations team remained prepared to return to active tracking and support if needed.

Why is additional support needed during LEOP and first contact?

In conclusion, the critical need for additional support during the Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP) and initial contact stems from these operations' inherent uncertainties and time-sensitive nature.

As shown by the T-12 launch, where Space-Track's orbital information wasn't made available until February 12th, 2025, a significant delay of almost one month after launch, relying solely on standard tracking services can create operational gaps. This delay underscores the necessity for supplementary services to rapidly establish communication, verify orbital parameters, and ensure a smooth transition to routine operations. Without this additional support, crucial early-stage data can be missed, potentially jeopardizing the mission's success.

To hear about this in more detail, feel free to reach out to our operations team and schedule a call mission-ops-support@okapiorbits.com

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