Session
Technical Session IX: Advanced Operations Concepts
Abstract
Distributed space systems are often cited as a means of enabling vast performance increases ranging from enhanced mission capabilities to increased system flexibility. Achieving this vision, however, will require radical advances in the automated control of these multi-satellite systems. To explore this challenge, Santa Clara University and Stanford University have initiated development of a simple, low cost, two-satellite mission known as Emerald. The Emerald mission includes several experiments involving the autonomous operation of distributed space systems. First, “low-level” inter-satellite navigation techniques will be explored. Second, “high-level” multi-satellite health and command management functions will be demonstrated. Due to operational considerations and on-board computational constraints, autonomy functions will have both on-board and ground components. Technology verification and validation will be conducted by the execution of a precise functional test plan and by assessing how these capabilities improve a baseline scientific investigation involving lightning-induced atmospheric phenomena. This paper will discuss Emerald’s mission objectives and design as well as the suite of “high level” autonomous operations experiments to be performed.
Autonomous Operations Experiments for the Distributed Emerald Nanosatellite Mission
Distributed space systems are often cited as a means of enabling vast performance increases ranging from enhanced mission capabilities to increased system flexibility. Achieving this vision, however, will require radical advances in the automated control of these multi-satellite systems. To explore this challenge, Santa Clara University and Stanford University have initiated development of a simple, low cost, two-satellite mission known as Emerald. The Emerald mission includes several experiments involving the autonomous operation of distributed space systems. First, “low-level” inter-satellite navigation techniques will be explored. Second, “high-level” multi-satellite health and command management functions will be demonstrated. Due to operational considerations and on-board computational constraints, autonomy functions will have both on-board and ground components. Technology verification and validation will be conducted by the execution of a precise functional test plan and by assessing how these capabilities improve a baseline scientific investigation involving lightning-induced atmospheric phenomena. This paper will discuss Emerald’s mission objectives and design as well as the suite of “high level” autonomous operations experiments to be performed.
