The ground-based infrastructure for a satellite is responsible for a number of support functions, such as commanding the spacecraft, monitoring its health, tracking the spacecraft to determine its present and future positions, collecting the satellite's mission data, and distributing these data to users. A key component of the infrastructure is the ground station, which is an Earth-based point of contact with a satellite and a distributor of user data.

Spacecraft and payload support consists of maintaining a communications link with the satellite to provide satellite and payload control. The ground station collects satellite telemetry (transmitted signals) to evaluate its health, processes state of health information, determines satellite orbit and attitude, and issues satellite commands when required.

Mission data receipt and relay is a vital function of the ground station. This includes receiving mission data and payload telemetry. The ground station computers process these data into a...