Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Guidance, Navigation, and Control System for Maneuverable Pico-Satellites
Project Description
Pico-satellites are an emerging new class of spacecraft. Maneuverable pico-satellites require active guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems to perform coordinated tasks such as formation flying and automated rendezvous and docking. A compact, low power GN&C system will be fabricated and tested for use on pico-satellites. The proposed design provides 6 degrees-of-freedom (DOF) translation and rotation control in less than 25% of a 3-Unit CubeSat or 3 DOF rotation only control in less than one half a standard Cubesat volume. During Phase 2, flight components will be procured, integrated, and tested as a single embedded system and delivered as a flight unit for environmental qualification and in-orbit demonstration on a suitable pico-satellite flight opportunity. The technology is expected to reach TRL 6 by the conclusion of Phase 2.
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Anticipated Benefits
Non-NASA federal agencies and commercial ventures will benefit from maneuverable pico-satellites. Rapid response communications, imaging, and situational awareness solutions are needed by the Department of Defense, National Reconnaissance Office, and Department of Homeland Security. DARPA's F6 program is an example of a fractionated spacecraft formation application that can be addressed with pico-satellites. Low cost and rapid access to space will also improve the profitable realization of new commercial space applications. Commercial applications such as on-orbit spacecraft servicing and direct to user remote sensing are viable. The mission return will be substantially improved with reliable low-cost pico-satellite maneuverability.
Maneuverable pico-satellites have many potential NASA commercial applications. For example, swarms or formations of pico-satellites could provide global real-time space weather monitoring in a way that is presently not possible from a single satellite. Autonomous rendezvous and docking technology could perform on-orbit inspection of a nearby vehicle. The relatively low-cost and rapid access to space of pico-satellites enables lower cost on-orbit testing of new components, allowing quicker and more reliable progression to higher Technology Readiness Levels. Pico-satellite maneuverability and control is a key, often required aspect of mission performance. More »
Maneuverable pico-satellites have many potential NASA commercial applications. For example, swarms or formations of pico-satellites could provide global real-time space weather monitoring in a way that is presently not possible from a single satellite. Autonomous rendezvous and docking technology could perform on-orbit inspection of a nearby vehicle. The relatively low-cost and rapid access to space of pico-satellites enables lower cost on-orbit testing of new components, allowing quicker and more reliable progression to higher Technology Readiness Levels. Pico-satellite maneuverability and control is a key, often required aspect of mission performance. More »
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Satellite Design | Lead Organization | Industry | Austin, Texas |
Johnson Space Center
(JSC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Houston, Texas |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Supporting Organization | Academia | Austin, Texas |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Texas
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