GRC ISS Payload Operations Center -

GRC ISS Payload Operations Center

Welcome to the Glenn ISS Payload Operations Center web portal. The GIPOC is a facility that provides around-the-clock operations support for GRC resident/supported microgravity experiments, allowing payload developers to monitor and perform their science experiments and distribute payload information to their remote science community. The GIPOC provides assigned payload services to the International Space Station (ISS) program, Artemis program, and other programs as required.

FACILITY HISTORY

Glenn has played a major role in conducting ISS space experiments. Beginning in 1993, GRC developed NASA’s first GIPOC to provide ground support for experiments on-board Space Shuttle flights. In preparation for the launch and operations of the GRC Fluids and Combustion Facility on-board ISS, the GIPOC went through a major renovation and expansion during 2000-2001, more than doubling the capacity to 5000 sq. ft. Since 2001, the GIPOC has provided continuous support for diverse microgravity research experiments and other GRC technology experiments onboard the ISS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, while requiring relatively minor crew intervention.

The GIPOC is a multipurpose facility designed to provide dedicated support for simultaneous training, simulations, and real-time operations of space experiments on-board the ISS, support Artemis operations to return astronauts to the Moon, and support Orion operations that will take astronauts to deep space. The facility consists of the GIPOC, the GIPOC Communication and Network Support Room, the GIPOC Operations and Support Rooms, and a visitor’s viewing area that provides access on a noninterference basis during operations.

ISS---Columbus---EVA---panneaux-solaires

SUPPORT SERVICES OVERVIEW

Pre-mission planning and post-mission debriefing support are provided for all experiment teams using the GIPOC. The GIPOC staff begins planning for support of a payload up to 18 months prior to the start of operations, depending on the complexity of the experiment’s operational requirements. Secure, dedicated data, voice, and video resources are available for each experiment team within the GIPOC at their respective console workstations. The GIPOC provides at least two workstations for each experiment team. Workstations and unique audio channels are configured for each experiment team according to the team’s needs to receive specific data from their flight hardware on orbit.

Pre-mission planning/Post-mission debriefing

The GIPOC audio systems provides secure digital audio channels for experiment operation teams to communicate with various groups working to support operations at the Marshall Space Flight Center’s (MSFC) ISS Huntsville Operations Support Center (HOSC) and also provides the ability to communicate directly with the ISS crew.

Secure digital audio system

Hardware and software provide the ability to send commands to the experiment on-board ISS and to receive feedback via telemetry data and video links. ISS real-time video is networked to the GIPOC, allowing experiment teams to view video from cameras within the on-board experiment facility to watch the experiment operations taking place real-time as well as the crew members interacting with the team’s experiment on-orbit. The GIPOC can receive two of the four ISS video channels simultaneously, and routes video directly to the payload developer’s console position, on the basis of the developer’s requirements.

ISS Telemetry, Commanding and Real-time video

Payload developers plan the operations, such as mission timeline development, resource planning, simulations, and training from the GIPOC. The GIPOC staff provides support for payload operations team training as needed prior to mission operations. Training is tailored to each payload and covers all aspects of operations.

Operations Training Support

The GIPOC has a state-of-the-art hot failover firewall system and maintains a central data system that provides ~ 30 TB of disk storage for its customers. Short- and long-term storage of scientific and engineering data and access to a public or limited access website containing the experiment’s processed data are also provided.

State-of-the-art firewall

GIPOC FACILITY CONTACTS

Kevin McPherson, GIPOC Facility Program Manager: 216-433-6162 (office); 216-509-2155 (cell)
kevin.m.mcpherson@nasa.gov

Ken Hrovat, Microgravity Data Analyst: 216-433-5376 (office)
kenneth.hrovat@nasa.gov