Abstract
Technical capabilities developed in the Small Satellite community are being translated to other space applications. sysRAND Corporation is developing hardware and software tools for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Satellite Data Model and Space Plug and Play Avionics. We are also developing an industrial-class excavator for planetary surface exploration and development. Applications include civil engineering at landing sites, and in-situ resource utilization in support of long-range logistical objectives. The excavator has been modeled at a production rate in the neighborhood of 1,000 kg / hr and will be integrated with a universal tool coupling, a robotic turret arm and mobility platform. The Excavator control system is based upon a COTS industrial controller to be augmented by AFRL's SDM plus SPA-E and SPA-U Plug 'n Play interfaces. This coupling will also connect the SPA-E (Ethernet Derivative) from the vehicle to the excavator controller. The controls are further extended for realtime scientific data acquisition of environmental parameters such as plasma flux, magnetic and electrostatic field strengths, etc. The universal tool coupling incorporating the SDM Plug 'n Play model may be applied to orbital applications with a variety of tools, effectors and sensor platforms.
Integrating a Modular Smart Tool into the Space Exploration Infrastructure through Small Satellite Systems Protocols
Technical capabilities developed in the Small Satellite community are being translated to other space applications. sysRAND Corporation is developing hardware and software tools for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Satellite Data Model and Space Plug and Play Avionics. We are also developing an industrial-class excavator for planetary surface exploration and development. Applications include civil engineering at landing sites, and in-situ resource utilization in support of long-range logistical objectives. The excavator has been modeled at a production rate in the neighborhood of 1,000 kg / hr and will be integrated with a universal tool coupling, a robotic turret arm and mobility platform. The Excavator control system is based upon a COTS industrial controller to be augmented by AFRL's SDM plus SPA-E and SPA-U Plug 'n Play interfaces. This coupling will also connect the SPA-E (Ethernet Derivative) from the vehicle to the excavator controller. The controls are further extended for realtime scientific data acquisition of environmental parameters such as plasma flux, magnetic and electrostatic field strengths, etc. The universal tool coupling incorporating the SDM Plug 'n Play model may be applied to orbital applications with a variety of tools, effectors and sensor platforms.