Session
Frank J. Redd Student Competition
Location
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Abstract
Lunar Flashlight (LF) is an interplanetary CubeSat mission designed to demonstrate the use of a novel green monopropellant propulsion system and characterize lunar surface ice with a near-infrared laser array and reflectometer. LF is also the first Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) mission to be operated entirely by students. While JPL provided baseline tools to Georgia Tech (GT), bespoke tools and software were developed by GT operators. Four tools developed by the author are discussed in this paper: (1) Downlink Helper is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool which improves the tactical downlink of recorded spacecraft telemetry. The tool automatically creates and sends downlink commands, displays an intuitive representation of telemetry onboard and downlinked from the spacecraft, and aids operator decision making with predicted downlink times for onboard files. (2) The SeqGen tool suite uses a Python-based object-oriented class structure to parse, generate, and manipulate LF command sequences from minimal input parameters. SeqGen pulls from a database of modular components, performs calculations to insert command parameters, and automatically version controls and archives sequences. SeqGen classes are flexible and are easily ported into other tools and applications, such as the Linter. (3) The Linter is a command line tool that parses LF command sequences and checks them against a database of mission flight rules. Flight rule violations and warnings are automatically detected and displayed for the operator. (4) SMARTS is a GUI tool that enables operator-in-the-loop propulsive burns on LF's highly anomalous propulsion system. Thruster performance is variable and unpredictable, preventing deterministic command sequences from being used to fire the thrusters, and threatening to saturate LF's reaction wheels. To manage spacecraft momentum, the spacecraft is rotated about a thruster's force vector while firing. SMARTS enables operators to tactically calculate, queue, and send command modules such that they execute onboard at precise phases in the rotation. Lessons learned from the development process are condensed and can be used to inform the operations of other student-led interplanetary small satellite missions.
Development of Tactical and Strategic Operations Software for NASA's Lunar Flashlight Mission
Utah State University, Logan, UT
Lunar Flashlight (LF) is an interplanetary CubeSat mission designed to demonstrate the use of a novel green monopropellant propulsion system and characterize lunar surface ice with a near-infrared laser array and reflectometer. LF is also the first Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) mission to be operated entirely by students. While JPL provided baseline tools to Georgia Tech (GT), bespoke tools and software were developed by GT operators. Four tools developed by the author are discussed in this paper: (1) Downlink Helper is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) tool which improves the tactical downlink of recorded spacecraft telemetry. The tool automatically creates and sends downlink commands, displays an intuitive representation of telemetry onboard and downlinked from the spacecraft, and aids operator decision making with predicted downlink times for onboard files. (2) The SeqGen tool suite uses a Python-based object-oriented class structure to parse, generate, and manipulate LF command sequences from minimal input parameters. SeqGen pulls from a database of modular components, performs calculations to insert command parameters, and automatically version controls and archives sequences. SeqGen classes are flexible and are easily ported into other tools and applications, such as the Linter. (3) The Linter is a command line tool that parses LF command sequences and checks them against a database of mission flight rules. Flight rule violations and warnings are automatically detected and displayed for the operator. (4) SMARTS is a GUI tool that enables operator-in-the-loop propulsive burns on LF's highly anomalous propulsion system. Thruster performance is variable and unpredictable, preventing deterministic command sequences from being used to fire the thrusters, and threatening to saturate LF's reaction wheels. To manage spacecraft momentum, the spacecraft is rotated about a thruster's force vector while firing. SMARTS enables operators to tactically calculate, queue, and send command modules such that they execute onboard at precise phases in the rotation. Lessons learned from the development process are condensed and can be used to inform the operations of other student-led interplanetary small satellite missions.
