The CERESS System consists of the following major subsystems:

The space segment is defined as the CERESS Rocket Module which performs the typical infrastructure tasks and the CERESS Verification Module which is used to verify the functionality of CERESS. The CERESS Verification Module is replaced by the scientific experiment in later missions.

The ground segment consists of the CERESS Ground Module, the Visualization Tool (ViTo) and the Service Computer.

The subsystems are characterized shortly here, for more detail check the technical information section.

Rocket Module (RM)

 The CERESS Rocket Module retrieves data from included sensors and those of the attached CERESS Verification Module. The CERESS Rocket Module stores and processes the data on board and communicates with the CERESS Ground Module, by which it is can be controlled. Furthermore it provides regulated power to the CERESS Verification Module and is capable to invoke actions on the CERESS Verification Module. The CERESS Rocket Module is designed for reusability in future experiments and is the key component of the CERESS Space Segment. 

Verification module (VM)

The CERESS Verification Module contains melting wires as simple actuators, which are used to verify the different control chain provided by CERESS. A variety of sensors is used to characterize the experiment’s flight-environment. The sensors include temperature, pressure and a camera. The arrangement of the sensors and their purposes are explained in chapter 4. The CERESS Verification Module is replaced by the actual experiment in future REXUS missions from TU Munich.

Ground module (GM) 

The CERESS Ground Module consists of desktop computers running custom software. It interacts with the space segment via Telemetry and Telecommand in order to communicate with the CERESS Rocket Module. Furthermore it merges the data from the CERESS Rocket Module and the REXUS telemetry stream. Position and measurement data is processed at the CSGM and forwarded via Internet to multiple end-user clients running the 3D flight visualization tool (ViTo). The Internet connection from the CERESS Ground Module to the Internet is governed by the ESRANGE Internet access.

Visualization Tool (ViTo) 

The ViTo displays the position and orientation of the CERESS Rocket Module and therefore the altitude and attitude of the REXUS rocket in near real-time during flight and as replay in post-flight. Furthermore, data from the CERESS Rocket Module and CERESS Verification Module sensors can be displayed. During the flight the ViTo receives data from the CERESS Ground Module via Internet. In post-flight the needed data is obtained by processed data of the on-board data storage.

Service Computer 

The Service Computer is needed for programming and maintaining the CERESS Rocket Module’s Main Computation Unit (MCU) during development, testing, after integration and launch preparation.