Technical Program

SpaceOps 2004 – A Global Enterprise is an ideal theme for this year's conference given that more and more nations, as well as public and private sector organizations are operating satellites and other space assets. Increasingly, operational space organizations need to be responsive to both mission requirements and business needs. The operational environment is becoming multi-satellite or multi-mission, and the emerging solutions need to be adaptable and cost-effective. There is a need for innovation not only in technology, processes, and procedures but also in management, organizational structures, and partnerships. As such, the conference technical program aims to address four inter-related elements.

First, space missions rely more and more upon cooperation among organizations. As a result, partnerships are required to share both public and private expertise, foster cross-support and interoperability, and the requisite standardization of facilities and methodology.

Second, there is an increasing need to be cost-effective in all phases of space missions. Operations of space assets are more closely tied to overall mission or business requirements. Consequently, total life-cycle planning, implementation, and costing have acquired more importance.

Third, the need for multi-mission operations, combined with the greater use of existing infrastructure, such as small/micro satellites, places more emphasis upon innovative and continuing systems engineering over the lifecycle of a program or mission. Operational system design needs to be driven by long-term operability as well as compatibility with existing multi-mission control systems or infrastructures.

Fourth, space operations is becoming multi-disciplinary, involving professionals and organizations who have a variety of backgrounds and interests and SpaceOps 2004 will be responsive to their needs.

SpaceOps 2004, hosted by CSA, takes the next step in the evolution of SpaceOps by addressing the following topics.

• Plenary Sessions
• Technical Sessions: Track Descriptions