Modular

AeroAstro makes space available to an expanding user community, often by rethinking the outdated process which is still the current approach to building spacecraft – that of custom designed, high cost, long lead-time bus. In nearly every other technological sector, the typical approach is that of mass production, standardization, modular design, smart systems, and the sacrifice of some performance for the greater advantages of lower cost, rapid development, and flexibility. AeroAstro introduces this approach into the spacecraft industry with modular spacecraft concepts. Modular spacecraft provide a high level of customer satisfaction to the space community at a cost that allows it to become a reality.

SMARTBus

AeroAstro's SMARTBus™ modular spacecraft architecture simplifies and accelerates the use of small satellites. It incorporates a plug-and-play type architecture for both the payload bus interface and the bus' subsystems.

To maximize flexibility, the proposed bus architecture divides the subsystems along logical lines – for example: communications, attitude determination, attitude control, power storage, power conditioning and distribution, supplemental data storage, etc. This will enable developers to create subsystems that are functionally self-contained and will provide the end-user the ability to tailor the bus design to meet mission requirements.

Utilizing auto-sense plug-and-play connectivity throughout the bus and between the bus and payload will provide the spacecraft designer a flexibility that heretofore has not existed. Plug-and-sense is AeroAstro's design for this electrical/functional connectivity expanded to include the physical properties, orientation, location, and synergistic aspects of the new device. Stated another way, the modules will be able to convey their dimensions, mass properties, position in the spacecraft, and dynamic attributes to the C&DH system, and will in addition be able to transfer any necessary software drivers, functional modules, or even new software frameworks, which can change depending on what other modules are present in the spacecraft.

AeroAstro is currently engaged in two programs – SCOUT and FEBSS – in which the SMARTBus is being further developed. The SCOUT program, funded by DARPA, is focused on implementing the SMARTBus architecture in a manner that will optimize around speed of deployment to orbit to enable rapid response space missions. The FEBSS program, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, is focused on implementing the SMARTBus architecture in a manner that will optimize around minimum cost to enable inexpensive missions for severely cost-constrained organizations such as universities.

SCOUT

SCOUT, funded by DARPA, challenges the traditional spacecraft systems approach through use of AeroAstro's SMARTBus™ modular spacecraft architecture. The design for SCOUT is driven by the requirement for rapid deployment to orbit.

Advancements in microsatellite and payload technology now enable small spacecraft (50-100kg) to execute myriad space-based communications, imaging, and sensing activities. Where deployment was previously constrained by launch vehicle availability and long-lead schedules, DARPA’s Responsive Access, Small Cargo, and Affordable Launch (RASCAL) program promises to offer the capability to rapidly deploy small payloads into LEO. This capability, however, begs the question: what candidate systems and architectures will best serve tactical, responsive space or time-sensitive opportunities for technology demonstration that are now available? While custom-designed systems still represent the greatest mass and volumetric efficiency, when one considers the tremendous investment of resources associated with on-orbit systems and this unconstrained operational environment, it is clear that there is a strong need for a highly capable, modular satellite solution to both execute and serve these space missions.

Through the SCOUT program, a Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract with DARPA, AeroAstro is developing a multi-mission, rapidly configurable microsatellite to enable responsive deployment of tactical capability to orbit. SCOUT – the Small, Smart Spacecraft for Observation and Utility Tasks – challenges the traditional spacecraft systems approach through use of AeroAstro's SMARTBus™ modular spacecraft architecture. SMARTBus incorporates a plug-and-sense capability, AstroLogic™, which will enable a vehicle to detect the presence and orientation of integrated subsystem modules, as well as ascertain their function, and communicate key performance parameters.

SCOUT utilizes a heuristic, self-interrogation approach to provide a robust means of performing configuration and diagnostics activities that transcend nominal housekeeping routines to include an enhanced degree of system autonomy. A minimally structured design, emphasizing a lightweight, interchangeable framework will enable quick integration and deployment, while preserving high on-orbit payload mass fraction. Similarly, the system will also feature a novel approach to assembly, integration, and test activities that spans ground through on-orbit operations.

FEBSS

Similar to SCOUT, FEBSS uses AeroAstro's SMARTBus modular spacecraft architecture. FEBSS, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, differs from SCOUT in that its design is driven by low cost rather than speed of deployment.

Numerous organizations in the US space community have expressed interest in using small satellites to perform space experiments, technology demonstrations, testing of prototype hardware and software, and the fielding of revolutionary systems such as satellite constellations. Unfortunately, the lack of a standardized, low-cost, small satellite bus architecture has and will limit our ability to advance the state of the art in space systems and components.

To solve this problem AeroAstro is developing FEBSS – the Flexible and Extensible Bus for Small Satellites – through funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program out of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). FEBSS is a low-cost, modular bus for small satellites (e.g., 10kg class University Nanosatellite), which uses AeroAstro's SMARTBus™ modular spacecraft architecture. The modularity of SMARTBus will allow the satellite developer to select only those components necessary to meet the mission requirements. It will provide a plug-and-sense connectivity – AstroLogic™ – both between the payload and the bus and between each bus subsystem.

The non-proprietary open architecture will benefit satellite developers because it provides them with choices when it comes to specific subsystem module selection – modules will be available from different manufacturers with differing levels of performance and price. The SMARTBus architecture will significantly reduce the cost, complexity, and development time required to assemble a small satellite bus to meet a satellite developer's mission requirements – it will facilitate getting to space more quickly, easily, and economically.

Sherpa

AeroAstro is the prime integrator for the Sherpa 'space tug'. Sherpa, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory and Missile Defense Agency, is a scaleable, modular and reliable orbit transfer system for secondary-launched assets.

The Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP) is responsible for launching small, experimental payloads and demonstration technologies as directed by the Space Experiments Review Board (SERB). AeroAstro will increase the flexibility of the microsatellite missions designed to accommodate these payloads and technologies through development of the Sherpa orbit transfer and maneuver vehicle. Along with the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/VSSV), and supported by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), AeroAstro is incorporating several key DoD-funded technologies to develop Sherpa to address the critical needs of small secondary payloads, DoD STP, and the directives of an operationally responsive space capability.

By incorporating a versatile, modular architecture, Sherpa will support a wide variety of missions, technologies, and configurations. Depending on requirements, Sherpa will be capable of performing multiple altitude and inclination changes, proximity operations, station-keeping, and de-orbiting maneuvers at end-of-life. To provide the greatest flexibility in manifesting options, Sherpa is compatible with several launch platforms, including the Space Shuttle, expendable launch vehicles (ELVs), and ESPA (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter). This capability will allow STP and other microsatellite experimenters to take advantage of the flight opportunities and greatly reduced launch costs, at no penalty to mission performance or goals.

AeroAstro – currently funded through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program at MDA – is responsible for the systems engineering and complete bus design of the Sherpa vehicle and serves as the program Prime Integrator for all subsystems and component technologies. In this capacity, AeroAstro is leveraging significant spacecraft systems experience gathered from programs including STPSat-1, SCOUT & FEBSS (SMARTBus™), and SPORT™.