Session
Technical Session VIII: The Horizion-- New Small Satellite Missions or Sensors to Broaden Our Understanding of Space: Section I
Abstract
The long lead and cycle times currently associated with development and launch of satellite systems have established a prohibitive environment for both low-cost access and responsive deployment of tactical capability to orbit. With the advent of the RASCAL program — poised to offer launch capability to LEO with less than 24 hours notice — the motivation for a comparable, multi-mission, rapidly configurable microsatellite is clear. The Small, Smart Spacecraft for Observation and Utility Tasks (SCOUT) will enable this capability while summarily addressing the production and logistic challenges essential to its implementation. SCOUT will challenge the traditional spacecraft systems approach by incorporating a modular “plug-and-play” architecture with a novel approach to assembly, integration, and test activities that spans ground through on-orbit operations. This functionality will enable scaleable multi-mission compatibility, long shelf-life, rapid call-up and field integration for launch, intelligent built-in test capability for rapid initialization on-orbit, and variable batch manufacturability. Central to this architecture and design philosophy is the notion of “performance” modularity. A modular, plug-andplay system must permit swapping of functional subsystem components while maintaining compatibility with existing ground infrastructure. Similarly, the system must incorporate “assembly-level” modularity to enable rapid system integration in the field for extensibility to multiple mission and applications.
Presentation Slides
SCOUT: A Modular, Multi-Mission Spacecraft Architecture for High Capability Rapid Access to Space
The long lead and cycle times currently associated with development and launch of satellite systems have established a prohibitive environment for both low-cost access and responsive deployment of tactical capability to orbit. With the advent of the RASCAL program — poised to offer launch capability to LEO with less than 24 hours notice — the motivation for a comparable, multi-mission, rapidly configurable microsatellite is clear. The Small, Smart Spacecraft for Observation and Utility Tasks (SCOUT) will enable this capability while summarily addressing the production and logistic challenges essential to its implementation. SCOUT will challenge the traditional spacecraft systems approach by incorporating a modular “plug-and-play” architecture with a novel approach to assembly, integration, and test activities that spans ground through on-orbit operations. This functionality will enable scaleable multi-mission compatibility, long shelf-life, rapid call-up and field integration for launch, intelligent built-in test capability for rapid initialization on-orbit, and variable batch manufacturability. Central to this architecture and design philosophy is the notion of “performance” modularity. A modular, plug-andplay system must permit swapping of functional subsystem components while maintaining compatibility with existing ground infrastructure. Similarly, the system must incorporate “assembly-level” modularity to enable rapid system integration in the field for extensibility to multiple mission and applications.
