All 2015 Content
Session
Technical Session II: Launch
Abstract
In November of 2013, a US Government organization launched a record-breaking mission comprised of 31 total payloads. The lead mission integrator of that highly successful mission integration effort for this highly complex multi-spacecraft rideshare mission consisting of 28 distinct separating CubeSat payloads presents key observations and lessons to facilitate future government and commercial multiple spacecraft rideshare missions. This mission was executed under an aggressive schedule relative to the physical integration of the smallsats into their flight dispensers and the dispensers onto the launch vehicle adapters. Additionally, this mission utilized a mix of CubeSats integrated in both Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (P-PODs) and the first flight of the NASA Launch Adapter System (NLAS) dispenser, as well as the first flight of the CubeStack launch adapter. This mission integrator was able to successfully integrate all 28 CubeSats in a six-day operation with zero anomalies during processing. This paper begins by providing an introspective assessment of the objectives associated with the aggressive mission schedule, specifically how they positively or negatively affected the payload providers for the mission. Additionally, the paper presents the integrator’s personal perspective on the mission integration effort as a whole, focusing on his perspective of key lessons from the process that are most value-added for future rideshare missions. In particular, the paper will state recommendations for industry standard practices and outline possible pitfalls to avoid through careful and knowledgeable planning based on the lessons gleaned from this effort. The contents of the paper provide specific examples from this groundbreaking mission and its associated integration activities. However, the paper does not address the particular payload providers, supporting contractors, or associated agencies. The discussion focuses on the advantages and challenges associated with the approach applied for this mission, purposefully avoiding mere opinion or speculation.
Presentation
Herding Cats: Key Takeaways from Wrangling 28 Payloads on One Mission
In November of 2013, a US Government organization launched a record-breaking mission comprised of 31 total payloads. The lead mission integrator of that highly successful mission integration effort for this highly complex multi-spacecraft rideshare mission consisting of 28 distinct separating CubeSat payloads presents key observations and lessons to facilitate future government and commercial multiple spacecraft rideshare missions. This mission was executed under an aggressive schedule relative to the physical integration of the smallsats into their flight dispensers and the dispensers onto the launch vehicle adapters. Additionally, this mission utilized a mix of CubeSats integrated in both Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployers (P-PODs) and the first flight of the NASA Launch Adapter System (NLAS) dispenser, as well as the first flight of the CubeStack launch adapter. This mission integrator was able to successfully integrate all 28 CubeSats in a six-day operation with zero anomalies during processing. This paper begins by providing an introspective assessment of the objectives associated with the aggressive mission schedule, specifically how they positively or negatively affected the payload providers for the mission. Additionally, the paper presents the integrator’s personal perspective on the mission integration effort as a whole, focusing on his perspective of key lessons from the process that are most value-added for future rideshare missions. In particular, the paper will state recommendations for industry standard practices and outline possible pitfalls to avoid through careful and knowledgeable planning based on the lessons gleaned from this effort. The contents of the paper provide specific examples from this groundbreaking mission and its associated integration activities. However, the paper does not address the particular payload providers, supporting contractors, or associated agencies. The discussion focuses on the advantages and challenges associated with the approach applied for this mission, purposefully avoiding mere opinion or speculation.
