Development and operation of the Ear Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer (FUSE) ground system

FUSE is an astronomy satellite mission designed to explore the origins of the Universe. Developed by the Johns Hopkins University (JHU), the FUSE mission marks the first time a large NASA funded project has been completely managed by an academic institution and could become a model for the industry, The FUSE satellite was plated into orbit on June 24, 1999. The FUSE Satellite Control Center (SCC) was developed by Interface & Control Systems, Inc., and provides all necessary mission functions. The SCC is a custom control center developed in a budget-conscious effort using a unique combination of commercial-off-the-shelf products and custom code. The primary communications interface, a Low Earth Orbit Terminal (LEO-T) developed by the methods and concepts evolved during implementation and operation of the FUSE ground system will benefit future missions by permitting more streamlined development, and yielding control centers tailored to specific missions and capable of supporting cost-saving lights-out operations.