A system architecture concept that supports automation of small satellite mission operations functions is presented along with a working prototype. The concept and prototype provide an automation framework which enables much more advanced levels of operational autonomy than is typical of current systems. This scalable architecture provides a risk mitigating stepwise approach toward achieving high levels of operational autonomy to enable significant operations cost savings through mission performance management by exception. The prototype consists of an October 1997 manifested Space Shuttle Hitchhiker payload along with the software and hardware described in this paper.