The Uplink Summary Generator (ULSGEN) provides a convenient means of gathering together a set of uplink related files, parsing and analyzing these files, and producing a summary of their contents, which may then be electronically signed by one or more reviewers to verify the commands. Spacecraft operations personnel view this summary as a final sanity check before actual radiation of the uplink data.
Unique features of the software are a browser-based application that can be used both inside and outside the flight operations firewall, file retrieval from the project file server or from the project DOM (Distributed Object Manager), and the ability to parse and analyze spacecraft command files (SCMF). The software also features DSN keyword file (DKF) parsing for uplink windows, and enables hosting of one or more projects in a single server. Each project can define its own uplink summary template.
Each uplink summary is generated based on the analysis results from the parsers and the selected project template. The uplink summary review and signature collection cycle supports both parallel and sequential workflows. RadList file generation enables linkage to the command system.
This work was done by Yeou-Fang Wang, Mitchell Schrock, Timothy J. Reeve, Kristine T. Fong, and Benjamin D. Smith of Caltech for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Dan Broderick at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Uplink Summary Generator (ULSGEN) Version 1.0
(reference NPO-48423) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for the Uplink Summary Generator (ULSGEN) Version 1.0, developed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). It outlines the importance of the ULSGEN in spacecraft operations, emphasizing the necessity of accurate uplink content for mission success.
ULSGEN is designed to generate summaries of uplink file content, which is critical for the effective communication between mission control and spacecraft. The process begins with the collection of various uplink-related file products, including the Spacecraft Message Format File (SCMF) and the DSN Keyword File (DKF). These files are parsed and analyzed to create a comprehensive uplink summary. This summary is then subjected to a review process involving multiple stakeholders, including Mission Managers, Sequence Integration Engineers, and various teams such as the Spacecraft Team, Sequence Team, Science Team, Instrument Team, and Mission Control Team.
The review process is crucial; if any reviewer disapproves the uplink summary, the spacecraft uplink manager must address the concerns and restart the review cycle. Once all reviewers approve the summary, it is archived, and the corresponding uplink data can be transmitted to the spacecraft. The ULSGEN streamlines this entire process, improving efficiency and reducing the risk of human error by consolidating the uplink summary generation and signature collection into a single electronic tool.
The document also highlights the browser-based nature of ULSGEN, which allows easy access for all users without being restricted by hardware or operating system limitations. This system is currently utilized by the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and is available for future NASA missions, showcasing its versatility and importance in ongoing and upcoming space exploration efforts.
Additionally, the document includes contact information for further inquiries related to research and technology in this area, emphasizing the collaborative nature of NASA's initiatives. Overall, the ULSGEN represents a significant advancement in the operational capabilities of spacecraft missions, ensuring that uplink communications are accurate, efficient, and reliable.
