Session
Session I: Existing and Near Term Missions
Abstract
This paper describes the overall design of NPSAT1, a low-cost, technology demonstration satellite which hosts a number of experiments. The command and data handling (C&DH) subsystem is built on commercial, desktop PC architecture, and standards-based specifications. Combining PC hardware and a PC/104 interface bus with the robust Linux operating system software offers a means of addressing the uncertainty and difficulty of managing space systems software. NPSAT1 will also demonstrate the use of nonvolatile ferroelectric RAM which is inherently radiationtolerant. Lithium-ion polymer batteries are another state-of-the-art technology that will be employed offering high energy density for space applications. A novel, low-cost, low-power attitude control subsystem providing coarse, three-axis stabilization will also be implemented using only magnetic torquers as actuators and a three-axis magnetometer for sensor input. Experiments on-board NPSAT1 include two Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) payloads: the coherent electromagnetic radio tomography (CERTO) experiment and a Langmuir probe. The CERTO experiment is a radio beacon which, in concert with ground station receivers, is used to measure total-electron-content (TEC) in the ionosphere. The Langmuir probe will augment CERTO data by providing on-orbit measurements. The other experiments are of NPS origin. These include a configurable processor experiment (CPE), a COTS visible wavelength imager (VISIM), and a three-axis micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based rate gyro. NPSAT1 is manifested on the Department of Defense Space Test Program (STP) MLV-05, Delta IV mission, due to launch in January 2006.
Overview of the NPS Spacecraft Architecture and Technology Demonstration Satellite, NPSAT1
This paper describes the overall design of NPSAT1, a low-cost, technology demonstration satellite which hosts a number of experiments. The command and data handling (C&DH) subsystem is built on commercial, desktop PC architecture, and standards-based specifications. Combining PC hardware and a PC/104 interface bus with the robust Linux operating system software offers a means of addressing the uncertainty and difficulty of managing space systems software. NPSAT1 will also demonstrate the use of nonvolatile ferroelectric RAM which is inherently radiationtolerant. Lithium-ion polymer batteries are another state-of-the-art technology that will be employed offering high energy density for space applications. A novel, low-cost, low-power attitude control subsystem providing coarse, three-axis stabilization will also be implemented using only magnetic torquers as actuators and a three-axis magnetometer for sensor input. Experiments on-board NPSAT1 include two Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) payloads: the coherent electromagnetic radio tomography (CERTO) experiment and a Langmuir probe. The CERTO experiment is a radio beacon which, in concert with ground station receivers, is used to measure total-electron-content (TEC) in the ionosphere. The Langmuir probe will augment CERTO data by providing on-orbit measurements. The other experiments are of NPS origin. These include a configurable processor experiment (CPE), a COTS visible wavelength imager (VISIM), and a three-axis micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)-based rate gyro. NPSAT1 is manifested on the Department of Defense Space Test Program (STP) MLV-05, Delta IV mission, due to launch in January 2006.
