Data and communication infrastructure for the Space Station

An attempt is made to extrapolate the data and communications processing needs and capabilities for the Space Station, based on related systems of Skylab and the Space Shuttle. As a preliminary step, since the details of the U.S.-International collaboration have not yet been worked out, ESA has approved the Columbus Program for a progressive implementation of elements of a small European Space Station, with the double aim of identifying the European needs that should be satisfied by the NASA Space Station and inducing European industry to acquire the technology needed to actively cooperate with NASA. A possible architecture for the Space Station Data Management System is presented, and the communications needs are considered for the Columbus elements with the mission Operation Control Center, highlighting the importance of a European relay satellite with a 500 Mbps capability in view of future increasing demand.