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ARC Micro Nano Spacecraft and Missions Where's The Sweet Spot?

This document discusses trends and opportunities for micro-nano spacecraft and missions at NASA-Ames Research Center. It summarizes two previous NASA nanosatellite missions, GeneSat-1 and PharmaSat-1, which demonstrated the ability to perform biological experiments on small spacecraft. The document explores next-generation nanosatellite configuration options and payloads. It also examines the need for standardization across different perspectives in space exploration, including NASA, DoD, industry and academia.

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Space Frontier Foundation
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161 views22 pages

ARC Micro Nano Spacecraft and Missions Where's The Sweet Spot?

This document discusses trends and opportunities for micro-nano spacecraft and missions at NASA-Ames Research Center. It summarizes two previous NASA nanosatellite missions, GeneSat-1 and PharmaSat-1, which demonstrated the ability to perform biological experiments on small spacecraft. The document explores next-generation nanosatellite configuration options and payloads. It also examines the need for standardization across different perspectives in space exploration, including NASA, DoD, industry and academia.

Uploaded by

Space Frontier Foundation
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NASA-Ames Research Center … in Silicon

ARC Micro­Nano Spacecraft 
and Missions

Trends and Opportunities
Where’s the Sweet Spot?
John W. Hines
Chief Technologist, Engineering
Directorate
Technical Director, Nanosatellite
Projects
NASA-Ames Research Center
NASA-Ames Nanosa tellite

GeneSat-
PharmaSat-
1
1

Nanosail-
D O/OREOS
GeneSat­1 System/Mission Overview
Launched 16 Dec 2006 aboard USAF Minotaur­1
•Secondary Payload with Tacsat-2
primary
•45° orbit inclination; 390 km altitude
•Spacecraft mass 7.1 kg (4.1 kg + 3 kg
adapter)
•4-5 W on-orbit average power
•60 day mission duration; 96 hr
Biology exp.
•Measured GFP and Optical Density w

Genesat Performed Flawlessly: First Biological Nanosatellite


Pharmasat­1
Microsatellite ­ Free Flyer Project
– Science goal: measure effects of antifungal agent
on yeast
• clinically accepted, well-controlled test
protocols
– Manifested to launch w/ USAF Tacsat-3 1°
spacecraft
• Minotaur-1 launch vehicle, Wallops Flight
facility; Jun08
– µSat Free Flyer: ESMD-funded, 4 mission, 5 year
effort
• develop nanosat-class autonomous space
60-well BioFluidics platforms & technologies
card
• validate key biological responses indicative of
space environmental conditions, human
medical risks

Fluidics/Sample Handling Block


Next Generation Nanosatellite Options

Triple Cube baseline with Beacon or Aux Payload Cylinder


and Deorbit capability (per Pharmasat/OOREOS form
factor).

– Maximum 2.0 kg per cube equiv or 6.0 kg.


– Triple cube equiv baseline designated as 1N, configs = 1N,
2N, 3N, 4N.
– 4N quad = 1Q; 1Q =4 ea 1N in 2x2 (or 1x4) form factor;
– Configs = 1Q, 2Q, 3Q (Special cases only right now).
– Maybe also 1.5 Q (= 32N). (Special cases only)
One Approach for the low end:
Suggesting the NanoSpace Works
Architecture
• Triple Cube baseline with Beacon or Aux Payload
Cylinder and Deorbit capability.

– Maximum 2.0 kg per cube equiv or 6.0 kg.


– Triple cube equiv baseline designated as 1N, therefore
configs = 1N, 2N, 3N, 4N.
– 4N quad = 1Q; therefore 1Q =4 ea 1N in 2x2 form factor;
– Configs = 1Q, 2Q, 3Q (Special cases only right now).
Space Mission Architecture*
(Basic Elements)

Command, Control, Subject


Communications
Architecture

Mission
Concep
t

Mission Orbit and


Operations Constellation

Payload,
Instruments

Space
Element

Ground
Element Launch
* Adapted from W. Larson andJ.Wertz; Spacecraft
Element
“Space Mission Analysis and Design”; Microcosm Bus
Ada pter s, Ada pter s,
Payload Survey
Mass/Power Correlation

UnServ
ed

Negotiated Rideshare
●
NMP
▲NSTC
♦SER
B
□SmallS
at

ESPA
SIV Limits
CubeSat Limits
1-3x Limits

Excerpt from “Form Follows Function: A Pragmatic Approach to Access-To-Space (ATS) for Space Technology
Experiments” Herrell, 2008 Cubesat Workshop, Logan,
MacNeal/Herrell 2008 IEEE Aerospace Conference Utah
Many Different
Perspectives re
• NASA = Science/Research
• DoD = Operational Space
• NRO = National Security
• Industry = Business Advantage
(profit)
• Academia = Education/ Training

• Re Standards… one size may not


fit all
Premise/Hypothesis/Rationale
• Nanosats are getting serious...lots of players...limited
• Launches are becoming available...need more 
interfaces and aggregation
• lots of good technologies and subsystems in 
development...fragmented
• managers and investigators are getting more 
interested
• big spacecraft and LV guys are getting into the game
• need to to define next generation platforms, 
interfaces, and mechanisms
Micro-Nano Spacecraft
Candidates

jwh
090107
NASA’s Missions
Exploration
• Local space
environment
• Return to the Moon
• Manned presence on
Mars (future)
• Space Biology/Human
Health
Science
• Understand the nature
of the solar system and
universe
• Near Earth Objects
(NEO)
• Lunar sciences
• Astrobiology

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