Telekommando

Telekommando, in English often rendered as telecommand, is a command transmitted over a telecommunications link to remotely operate a device or system. It is the counterpart to telemetry, which sends data from the device back to the operator. Telecommand involves encoding a command into a message that is conveyed to a receiver or command handling system, where it is validated and executed. The term is used in both general control engineering and German-speaking contexts, where Telekommando is the standard designation for this function.

In spaceflight and spacecraft operations, telecommand refers to the instructions sent from ground control to a vehicle to perform actions such as attitude adjustments, payload activation, or subsystem tests. Commands are typically organized into telecommand packets, transmitted via ground stations, and processed by the spacecraft’s command and data handling subsystem. This process emphasizes reliability, sequencing, and security, with commands validated before execution to prevent unintended operations.

Standards and protocols play a key role in telecommand, especially in aerospace. Organizations such as the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS) specify packet formats, transmission protocols, and error handling mechanisms that ensure interoperability and robustness across missions. Security considerations include authentication, encryption, and redundancy to mitigate risks of corruption or spoofing.

Telecommand is applied beyond space missions to other remote or automated systems, including industrial control networks, unmanned aerial vehicles, and distributed instrumentation. It is typically paired with telemetry in a bidirectional communication link, enabling monitoring and control of remote assets.