Development and Experimentation with a Small Satellite Bus Standard: Another Step toward an Operationally Responsive Space System

Andrew Lewin, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
Patrick Stadter, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
Cheryl Reed, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
Eric Finnegan, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
Mike Hurley, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Chris Garner, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Tom Kawecki, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Paul Jaffe, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Charlie Merk, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Col. Jay Raymond, Commander 30th Space Wing Operations Group
CDR Greg Glaros, OSD Office of Force Transformation

Abstract

The Office of Force Transformation and the A7 Space and Missile Command have joined together to sponsor a multi-phased effort to develop a standard bus for operationally responsive tactical applications. This effort involves multiple government, laboratory, and industry players, and the phases of the program are implemented to best spiral capability to support the warfighter. This paper will focus on Phase III of the program, led by a Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)/Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) team, which will develop, with industry and academia, an ORS/JWS bus standard, and validate that standard by developing a flight-qualified prototype bus that refines and extends standards studied and advanced in the preceding phases. The research described focuses on the system engineering aspects of Phase III and describes linkage to Phase I analytical studies and Phase II advances in avionics standards and interfaces. Included is an over-view of the approach that the NRL/APL team will use in leading the bus standards and prototype development and how key interfaces such as the payload and ground segment will be addressed to avoid cost shifting. Since the standards will be ultimately used by industry, industry participation will be integrated throughout the pro-gram. The paper summarizes the overall standard bus development process and describes how the system engineer-ing aspects will be executed with industry and academia involvement. One of the central objectives will be to ensure an open, level, and competitive marketplace while not stifling innovation. All design reviews and architecture deci-sions will be open to the domestic industry for further use. The paper will describe programmatic and systems engi-neering processes used to develop the standards and apply them through a hardware implementation.

 
Aug 9th, 9:45 AM

Development and Experimentation with a Small Satellite Bus Standard: Another Step toward an Operationally Responsive Space System

The Office of Force Transformation and the A7 Space and Missile Command have joined together to sponsor a multi-phased effort to develop a standard bus for operationally responsive tactical applications. This effort involves multiple government, laboratory, and industry players, and the phases of the program are implemented to best spiral capability to support the warfighter. This paper will focus on Phase III of the program, led by a Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)/Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) team, which will develop, with industry and academia, an ORS/JWS bus standard, and validate that standard by developing a flight-qualified prototype bus that refines and extends standards studied and advanced in the preceding phases. The research described focuses on the system engineering aspects of Phase III and describes linkage to Phase I analytical studies and Phase II advances in avionics standards and interfaces. Included is an over-view of the approach that the NRL/APL team will use in leading the bus standards and prototype development and how key interfaces such as the payload and ground segment will be addressed to avoid cost shifting. Since the standards will be ultimately used by industry, industry participation will be integrated throughout the pro-gram. The paper summarizes the overall standard bus development process and describes how the system engineer-ing aspects will be executed with industry and academia involvement. One of the central objectives will be to ensure an open, level, and competitive marketplace while not stifling innovation. All design reviews and architecture deci-sions will be open to the domestic industry for further use. The paper will describe programmatic and systems engi-neering processes used to develop the standards and apply them through a hardware implementation.