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Auria’s EASI: Revolutionizing NOAA Satellite Scheduling

February 21, 2025

Revolutionizing Satellite Scheduling for NOAA with Auria’s Enterprise Automated Scheduling Implementation (EASI)

In the complex world of satellite operations, efficient scheduling is critical. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) faces a unique challenge: coordinating multiple ground and space assets across various orbital regimes. To address this, Auria has developed the Enterprise Automated Scheduling Implementation (EASI), a cutting-edge solution designed to streamline and automate satellite scheduling. 

 

The Challenge: Coordinating a Complex Network 

NOAA’s satellite operations involve a vast network of spacecraft and ground stations, including partnerships with NASA, international collaborators, the Department of Defense (DoD), and commercial entities. These assets span multiple orbital regimes and rely on diverse ground station networks, such as the Near Earth Network (NEN), Deep Space Network (DSN), and commercial providers like KSAT. 

 

Traditionally, NOAA relied on manual, stove-piped systems for scheduling. Each mission operated independently, leading to inefficiencies, high maintenance costs, and slow coordination. The legacy approach involved manual file exchanges, multi-hour scheduling processes, and multi-day planning cycles—methods that were no longer sustainable in an era of increasing mission complexity. 

 

The Solution: EASI 

EASI represents a significant leap forward. Built on commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software products, including Auria’s Astro Scheduler (formerly STK Scheduler) AI driven deconfliction and optimization engine and STK Pro for flight dynamics, EASI offers a flexible, extensible, and automated solution. Key features include: 

  • Enterprise-Level Integration: EASI consolidates scheduling for all NOAA missions into a single application, enabling cross-mission deconfliction and optimization. 
  • Modernized Interfaces: The system supports web and mobile access, along with APIs for seamless integration with other systems. 
  • Automation: EASI automates scheduling tasks, reducing the time required for planning and coordination. 
  • Extensibility: The system can accommodate new satellites, ground stations, and scheduling constraints without requiring additional software development. 
Diagram of Auria's EASI Architecture for NOAA, showing the workflow between schedulers, mission operators, and communication networks, including components like Astro Scheduler, flight dynamics engine, and COTS software.
EASI Architecture: A streamlined workflow for NOAA’s satellite scheduling, integrating mission operators, schedulers, and communication networks with tools like Astro Scheduler and COTS software.

 

How EASI Works 

The EASI architecture integrates mission operators, schedulers, and communication network operators into a unified workflow. Users log in via a web browser with admin-defined permissions from there they import orbit data, review schedule constraints, and update availability information. The system then generates a deconflicted schedule and outputs custom reports for communication networks and satellite operations. 

 

The Future of Satellite Scheduling 

EASI is not just a solution for today—it’s a platform designed to grow with NOAA’s future needs and can easily be applied to any system needing multi-mission planning and coordination with multiple communication networks. By moving away from legacy systems and embracing automation, EASI ensures that NOAA can efficiently manage its expanding satellite fleet and ground station networks. This innovation sets a new standard for enterprise-level scheduling in the aerospace industry. It’s EASI!