Dual Axis Controller for Extreme Environments, Phase II

The applications for the DACEE within NASA's exploration roadmap are numerous. While each investigation has its own unique observational instrumentation needs, the operations contained within those instruments share commonality. For operations which adjust lenses, open covers, pan and tilt, deploy hinges, etc., a stepper or brushless motor control drive capable of delivering between to 1-3 amps @ ~30V covers a broad spectrum of applications. Coupled with the benefits of small form factor and low power means the DACEE can be mounted in or near the instrumentation itself simplifying system level interfacing and control needs. With an expanded operational thermal range the DACEE preserves valuable spacecraft resources by not consuming excess power for heaters or requiring extra mass for radiation protection. The DACEE can operate on weather balloons where temperatures tend to become very cold and challenge typical electronic operational ranges. The DACEE can also be operated in-situ for instruments that may be deployed by future Mars rovers. Again the small size is conducive for space station observatories that need to perform typical scanning and tracking operations. Outside of NASA's interest, creating a low power, small form factor dual axis controller is very attractive. GEO communication satellites maintain a large number of control interfaces for the ever evolving complicated deployment schemes developed for extending antennas and supporting a variety of hosted payloads. Many satellites include pumps for cooling loops which require similar control needs. Some of the existing control systems are very outdated and the cost of maintaining legacy electronic systems is becoming increasingly expensive. Providing a robust, rad tolerant, low power commercial control solution based upon the DACEE development could save manufacturers a reasonable amount of cost, power, and mass which could better be allocated for providing additional data services. More »