Home Solutions Aerospace and Defense Electrical and Mechanical Systems Test Mechanical Systems and Structural Test Managing and Monitoring Launch Site Operations

Managing and Monitoring Launch Site Operations

As engineers work to make space access more reliable, less expensive, and less resource intensive, they need systems that can reliably control and monitor launch processes, provide safety for remote operators, and coordinate across large, complex facilities. Distributed control and monitoring systems collect sensor data to bring information back to the central control system, or make localized control decisions, to ensure the success of both automated launch processes and launch site operators.

 

  • High reliability to ensure system availability
  • Rugged form factor to survive difficult launch site environments
  • Timing synchronization across distributed systems  

Launch Operations and Monitoring

  • CompactDAQ hardware provides a rugged, distributed monitoring system that can bring data from across the facility to a central control system where launch conditions are monitored to make launch decisions. TSN technology built into the CompactDAQ platform provides synchronization across the facility using existing network cabling.
  • CompactRIO hardware provides a localized ruggedized real-time controller with a user-programmable FPGA for high-fidelity control. The real-time performance ensures safe control of critical systems, especially when combined with backup controllers for redundant control systems. 
  • C Series modules provide a variety of sensor interfaces, for analog and digital signals, to match the launch facility configuration. Supported measurement types include vibration, current and voltage, digital, temperatures, and more. C Series modules provide high-speed, closed-loop control of valves and pumps to ensure accurate management of fluids in the launch sequence.

Solution Advantages

  • Distributed real-time performance for precision control of prelaunch systems

  • Modular platform provides expanded sensor options to match launch equipment

  • Software and driver support provides integration to multiple launch systems through a variety of programming interfaces

  • Rugged hardware for distribution throughout launch site

BUILD YOUR SOLUTION WITH THE NI ECOSYSTEM

NI offers a variety of solution integration options customized to your application-specific requirements. You can use your own internal integration teams for full system control or leverage the expertise of NI and our worldwide NI Partner Network to obtain a turnkey solution.

NI Partner Network

The NI Partner Network is a global community of domain, application, and overall test development experts working closely with NI to meet the needs of the engineering community. NI Partners are trusted solution providers, systems integrators, consultants, product developers, and services and sales channel experts skilled across a wide range of industries and application areas.

Services and Support

NI works with customers throughout the life of an application, delivering training, technical support, consultation and integration services, and maintenance programs. Teams can discover new skills by participating in NI-specific and geographic user groups and build proficiency with online and in-person training.

Launch Site Monitoring and Operations Solutions

Learn more about NI tools used to build instrumentation systems deployed in a number of launch site applications by reading the solution brochure. It includes additional details on the constituent hardware and software components, example system configurations, product features, and more.