Session
Technical Session XII: The Next Generation
Abstract
One approach to reduce spacecraft development time and cost is the use of Space Plug & Play Avionics (SPA). Initially introduced in 2004, SPA offers standardized power and data interfaces to allow for rapid design, integration, and testing of spacecraft. SPA endeavors to leverage, where possible, existing standards and tools to help maximize the potential user base without requiring specialized or new knowledge. Some examples include USB and SpaceWire for hardware interfaces, and C and FPGA constructs for software and firmware. In many high schools, emphasis on technology education has meant that students may have already been exposed to these concepts and techniques. Additionally, many motivated students have extensive backgrounds in software and hardware development outside of academic venues. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is one of many organizations that participate in internship programs designed to introduce students to real science and engineering environments. We have used these opportunities for students as a pedagogical vehicle for SPA device development. From 2006 to 2010, we learned a number of lessons that may be of interest to SPA developers and technology educators.
Lessons from 5 Years of Space Plug & Play Avionics (SPA) Device Development with High School Students
One approach to reduce spacecraft development time and cost is the use of Space Plug & Play Avionics (SPA). Initially introduced in 2004, SPA offers standardized power and data interfaces to allow for rapid design, integration, and testing of spacecraft. SPA endeavors to leverage, where possible, existing standards and tools to help maximize the potential user base without requiring specialized or new knowledge. Some examples include USB and SpaceWire for hardware interfaces, and C and FPGA constructs for software and firmware. In many high schools, emphasis on technology education has meant that students may have already been exposed to these concepts and techniques. Additionally, many motivated students have extensive backgrounds in software and hardware development outside of academic venues. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) is one of many organizations that participate in internship programs designed to introduce students to real science and engineering environments. We have used these opportunities for students as a pedagogical vehicle for SPA device development. From 2006 to 2010, we learned a number of lessons that may be of interest to SPA developers and technology educators.
