ODARIS (“On-board Data Analysis And Real-Time Information System”)
Introduction
In the last century, the space sector experienced a rapid increase of new generation satellites, equipped with modern hardware architectures. Within the upcoming century, several governmental space agencies, commercial service providers and scientists plan for an even higher demand for different kinds of space systems, ranging from earth observation satellites over internet-based networks up to new space stations. This will lead to an increased access to space for several stakeholders and offer new opportunities including newer satellite concepts and services.
The limited time window as a challenge in communication between the satellite and the ground station
A critical challenge in satellite operations is the communication link between low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and ground stations for mission control and payload data. In the conventional store-and-forward approach, all scientific data and time-critical information—such as spacecraft health status—must be stored on-board until a contact window with a designated ground station is established. These windows are limited in duration and frequency, typically occurring every 6 to 24 hours, depending on orbital dynamics and ground station availability. As a result, data availability on the ground may be delayed by several hours. Similarly, telecommand uploads must be scheduled within the same narrow time windows, requiring extensive pre-planning and coordination. In the event of on-board anomalies, corrective actions cannot be initiated until the next available contact, leading to delayed response times. Furthermore for many applications like satellite surveillance systems getting timely information is also critical factor. Examples are early disaster detection system such as fire and chemical leak detection.
ODARIS as a solution to the issue
To address high latency in ground-based access to satellite-derived data, DLR is developing the “On-board Data Analysis And Real-Time Information System” (ODARIS). The system aims to reduce the time between data acquisition and availability for ground stakeholders from hours to minutes. By identifying critical information immediately upon sensor data availability and transmitting it directly to the ground via dedicated real-time communication links, ODARIS enables low-latency data access and real-time alerting services. This capability reduces dependence on traditional store-and-forward communication architectures, supporting timely decision-making for satellite operations, anomaly detection, and surveillance applications. A proof-of-concept flight experiment is planned for ODARIS, targeting small- to mid-sized satellites. The project involves extended research in on-board data processing, data management, and autonomous satellite operations.