Microspacecraft and the Vision for Space Exploration AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites August 2006 Authors: Matt Bille, Kris Winkler All opinions in this presentation and the accompanying paper are those of the authors. This presentation does not reflect an official Booz Allen Hamilton position, AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 0 Topics for Discussion Introduction: The VSE and its Requirements VSE Tasks for Microspacecraft Sources of Technology Considerations for Moving Forward Conclusions AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 1 Introduction Introduction A new direction in space: the Vision for Space Exploration (VSE) – Core mission of NASA and Exploration Systems Mission Directorate (ESMD) – Ambitious program of Moon, Mars, and solar system exploration – More like Antarctic exploration than past space programs like Apollo The challenges – An exploration program requires scouts, surveyors, rescue parties, etc. – The VSE must provide these capabilities in context of tight budgets, high launch costs An answer: PRISMs (Pioneering Robotic Microspacecraft scouts) – Approach: cross-cutting examination and use of microspacecraft across VSE missions and tasks – End state: network of PRISMs spanning Earth-Moon-Mars system in support of larger human and robotic spacecraft AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 2 VSE Tasks PRISMs May Meet Some Requirements of the VSE PRISMs should be examined in trade studies for VSE roles including: – Inspecting the exterior of larger vehicles – Assisting astronauts on extravehicular activity (EVA) – Servicing larger vehicles – Providing orbital infrastructure: communications, navigation, etc. from lunar and Martian orbit – Scouting space and celestial bodies to check conditions and probe for resources – Fulfilling the Vision’s call for a concurrent program of robotic science spacecraft Byrd Expedition Map and Transportation (NASM) Earth-Mars Trajectory and Transportation (NASA) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 3 VSE Tasks Inspection Microspacecraft have demonstrated ability to rendezvous, maneuver with, and inspect larger spacecraft – NASA ESMD already examining microspacecraft inspectors Provide inspection capability for robotic spacecraft and reduce need for EVAs to inspect crewed spacecraft Many sources of relevant microspacecraft technology – US military: XSS-10 and XSS-11 ESMD inspector concept (NASA) – Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd: SNAP-1 – NASA: AERCamSprint and mini-AERCam – New programs: SPHERES, ANGELS XSS-10 (Boeing) Mini-AERCam (NASA) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 4 VSE Tasks EVA Assistant For all EVAs (planned an unplanned), PRISMs can improve astronaut capability and safety PRISMs can fetch tools, provide additional views or work area, etc. Could also take tethers to rescue drifting astronauts Most capabilities and technologies for inspection PRISMs also apply to EVA assistants AERCam Sprint test SPHERES (MIT) on STS-87 (NASA) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 5 VSE Tasks Servicing PRISMs may be used to transfer or replace parts (e.g., circuit cards) – PRISMs may be part of a servicing fleet, with larger craft for bulk resupply – VSE spacecraft could be designed with replaceable modules Technology development is proceeding – Automated rendezvous tested, docking still in development – Likely to be demonstrated first with larger spacecraft (e.g., Orbital Express) Prisma microsat rendezvous experiment (Swedish Space Corporation) Microspacecraft for servicing to be investigated – Designed in projects like ASTEC, but not built ASTEC (SDL) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 6 VSE Tasks Orbital Infrastructure Satcom, navigation, and weather monitoring originally provided on Earth by microsatellites Studies are underway to provide equivalent capabilities on Moon, Mars – JPL proposed microsat-based Mars Network in 1999 – APL studying Lunar Microsat Com-Nav Network Current LEO programs like Orbcomm (communications) and COSMIC (meteorology) demonstrate capabilities Cooperative constellations could enable microsats to form “virtual antennas” equal to fixed antennas on larger spacecraft Orbcomm (OSC) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 7 VSE Tasks “Forward Scouts” (Landers and Probes) Major expeditions to Moon and Mars will have robotic precursors – PRISMs can study conditions en route, in orbit, and on ground – Programs like NASA’s Mars Instrument Development Project (MIDP) developing miniature instrumentation GeneSat (NASA) Studies in space (en route and in orbit) – NASA’s 3kg GeneSat-1 will study radiation effects on cells in LEO – could do the same elsewhere Exploration of surface materials and landing sites ANTS prototype (NASA) – NASA funding studies of small Mars sample carriers, reentry systems – NASA GSFC’s Autonomous Nano Technology Swarm (ANTS) – ESA’s Vanguard Mars mission with 36-kg lander, 28-kg rover – MIT proposes swarm of baseball-sized “hoppers” for Mars MIT probe concept AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 8 VSE Tasks Robotic Exploration VSE called for a robust program – Independent missions in addition to the VSE scouts – Much technology will overlap – Funding squeeze on robotic exploration makes it important to examine what small, low-cost PRISMs can do Space Technology 5 (NASA) Long heritage, including Pioneer lunar microspacecraft, Apollo P&FS subsatellites, and Mars Deep Space 2 probes Current and proposed contributors: – Spacecraft studying Earth and near-Earth (COSMIC, ST5) – Proposals for Mars and Venus missions from SSTL, others Apollo P&FS (NASA) AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 9 Technology Sources of Revelant Microspace Technology PRISMs allow VSE to leverage work inside and outside NASA – NASA Most NASA centers have microspacecraft or relevant technology programs There are also cross-cutting efforts like New Millennium Program and studies funded by NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts – Department of Defense 450g butane thruster for SNAP-1 (SSTL) AFRL, DARPA, NRL, MDA – Other American sources National labs, non-government Labs (APL), FFRDCs (Aerospace), universities, and companies (Ball, Swales, Space Dynamics Lab, etc.) – International 10cm radiator Companies and organizations (Surrey, Swedish Space Corp. ESA, etc.) on ST5 (APL) Spinoff technology benefit: PRISM technology can be incorporated into larger spacecraft to reduce size and mass AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 10 Moving Forward Considerations for Moving Forward VSE is a complex architecture of architectures, still being developed At appropriate points in development, steps to maximize benefits of PRISM approach could include: – Issue a Solicitation for Microspacecraft Concepts in Support of the VSE – Host a workshop, followed by a joint NASA-industry working committee to select the most promising proposals and work the VSE architecture – Establish or designate an office to coordinate work on PRISM technologies – As a near-term target for a practical demonstration, select one or more PRISM-type missions to be incorporated into the LPRP – Hold an annual PRISM workshop to further facilitate coordination and report on progress of individual efforts AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 11 Conclusions Conclusions VSE is a grand challenge that will be very difficult but must not fail PRISMs are worth examining for a variety of VSE uses Advancing microspacecraft technology addresses both technological and financial challenges Common technologies and ideas across the microspace field warrant holistic examination and a utilization plan that will evolve as the VSE architecture is developed The VSE is building our future in space. Microspacecraft are part of that future. AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 12 THANKS TO: Booz Allen Hamilton - Lena Braatz Author contact information: - Tom Cochrane -Paul Ermenko Matt Bille - Tom Mead Booz Allen Hamilton Tel. 719-387-2062 - Dr. Kurt Stevens [email protected] - Vic Villhard Dr. Dwayne Day, NASM Kris Winkler Dr. Samad Hayati, NASA JPL Booz Allen Hamilton Dr. Rich Van Allen, Microcosm Tel. 703-377-4509 Dr. James Wertz, Microcosm [email protected] DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this presentation and the accompanying paper are those of the authors. This presentation does not reflect official policies or positions of Booz Allen Hamilton, NASA, or any other company or agency mentioned herein. AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites 13.