Satellite communication and ground station operations form the critical link between space assets and Earth, enabling real-time data exchange, mission control, and global connectivity across scientific, commercial, and institutional missions.
This intensive two-week Advanced Studies course focuses on ground station software development and satellite operations, highlighting the essential role of ground systems in ensuring mission success—from CubeSats to large constellations. Taught by ISU faculty and industry practitioners, the course combines solid theoretical foundations with extensive hands-on experience using open-source tools and Software Defined Radios (SDRs).
Participants design and implement custom ground station software for real-time data acquisition, automation, and mission management, gaining practical skills directly applicable to modern satellite missions.
This course is for you if you want a technically grounded, practice-oriented introduction to satellite communications and operational ground systems
3 ECTS
Laptop required
Master’s Pathway: Credits earned in this course may be applied toward the ISU MSS or MSc program, with possible tuition reduction, upon successful completion and admission.
Program Summary
Weekdays 9:00–17:30 | ~70% hands-on
Week 1 — Foundations of Ground Systems and Satellite Communications
The first week introduces the fundamentals of satellite communications and ground systems. Participants explore ground station architectures, RF communication principles, satellite tracking, and telemetry, while building core programming and SDR foundations needed for practical implementation.
Key themes include:
Satellite communications and mission operations fundamentals
Ground station hardware and system architectures
RF principles, antennas, modulation, and frequency management
Satellite tracking, orbit prediction, and TT&C basics
Introduction to Software Defined Radios (SDRs), GNU Radio, and ground station interfaces
Week 2 — Software Development and Mission Operations
The second week focuses on applied software development and operational workflows. Participants design, implement, and demonstrate functional ground station software while addressing real mission constraints.
Key themes include:
Ground station software design and automation
Real-time data acquisition and telemetry decoding
Uplink and downlink establishment
Command sequencing and mission control workflows
Pass scheduling, operational planning, and system integration
Final system demonstrations and technical presentations
