Title :
Advanced technologies for a command and data handling subsystem in a “better, faster, cheaper” environment
Author_Institution :
Lockheed Martin Astronaut., Denver, CO, USA
Abstract :
NASA´s Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative (SSTI) is developing two lightweight, “pathfinder” spacecraft, Lewis and Clark, to demonstrate a better faster, cheaper approach to spacecraft development and to gain valuable space science and technology data. In the command and data handling subsystem, SSTI Clark will demonstrate the implementation of seven advanced technologies in a “better, cheaper, faster” environment. The seven advanced technologies are: (1) 3-D Cube packaging, (2) 16 Mbit DRAM, (3) integrated avionics, (4) multifunctional serial I/O bus, (5) 32-bit processor, (6) composite housing, and (7) radiation hardened field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). This paper will discuss each technology (including the achieved performance metrics) and how these technologies were implemented using the “better, cheaper, faster” methods employed for the SSTI mission
Keywords :
DRAM chips; aerospace computing; aerospace control; fault tolerant computing; field programmable gate arrays; integrated circuit packaging; open systems; peripheral interfaces; radiation hardening (electronics); redundancy; reliability; special purpose computers; system buses; 16 Mbit; 3-D cube packaging; 32 bit; DRAM; Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative; VME cards; advanced technologies; command and data handling subsystem; composite housing; integrated avionics; memory packaging; multifunctional serial I/O bus; open architecture; pathfinder spacecraft; performance metrics; radiation hardened field programmable gate arrays; redundancy; Aerospace electronics; Costs; Data handling; Government; Instruments; Packaging; Payloads; Space missions; Space technology; Space vehicles;
