Space & satellite operations optimization
Make every observation opportunity count
4colors plans observation windows, competing priorities and scarce sensors in space operations. Its algorithms turn those limits into stronger plans.
A UK Space Agency contract for sensor scheduling at the National Space Operations Centre.
The opportunity you take can close another
A spacecraft has a valuable observation window. Taking the image uses pointing time, energy and onboard storage. Another target may soon enter view; the next ground-station pass may be needed to transmit existing data.
Even when individual activities are feasible, they may not be feasible together. The right schedule must account for the resources and dependencies connecting them.
One pass over thirteen targets; bigger circles have higher priority.
Priority captured55%
Targets observed7
Illustrative example, not customer data.
Decisions inside a limited observation window
Observation and sensor scheduling
Allocate limited observation opportunities among targets, priorities, instruments and visibility windows. Coordinate conflicts rather than simply filling an observation calendar.
Mission activity sequencing
Plan activities within pointing, power, data storage and communication constraints. Some decisions affect the resources available many steps later, making local choices costly.
Ground and space resource allocation
Coordinate sensors, communication windows and competing requests where specialized equipment and timing create bottlenecks. Formulations differ significantly between missions and operating environments.
How 4colors can help
From the solver engine to ready-made planning apps, pick the level that suits your team.
4colors Optimizer
The solver engine behind every 4colors product. A portfolio of search methods for hard planning decisions in routing, loading, scheduling and allocation, from Python or the API.
Optimizer for Scheduling
Advanced scheduling algorithms for the software you build to manage jobs, machines, people and resources. Due dates, setups and shared resources sit in one model.
Planning Applications
Takt, Roster and Stride bring optimization to production, shift and project planning. When a rush order lands or someone calls in sick, each re-plans within your rules.
Custom Optimization
Original models and algorithms built around your own resources, rules and objectives. We work with your team from the first prototype to a planner that runs in your systems.
Relevant work
Best known
RG300 project scheduling benchmark
4colors Optimizer established best-known schedules on 113 of 480 projects in a public project-scheduling benchmark.
Inside space scheduling
Explore more use cases- Industry article
Space and Defense: Planning With Irreplaceable Windows
Some opportunities cannot simply be moved to tomorrow.
Read more - Insight
Satellite Mission Planning: Every Opportunity Has a Cost
A spacecraft can do many useful things, but not necessarily at the same time.
Read the insight - Use case
Deciding What to Observe When You Cannot Observe Everything
Sometimes the critical resource is a ten-minute opportunity, not the instrument itself.
Explore the use case - Insight
The Schedule Broke. Now What?
The fastest way to recover may begin with the schedule you already have.
Read the insight - Guide
Hard and Soft Constraints: Where a Schedule Can Bend
The distinction between a rule and a preference tells an optimizer what kind of compromise is possible.
Read the guide
Better schedules for scarce opportunities
Discuss a space operations challengeExplore Custom Optimization