A Low-Cost, Responsive Microsat Bus Utilizing COTS Parts and Components

Author

Jackson, Bill

Author_Institution

SpaceDev, Inc., Poway, CA

fYear

2008

fDate

1-8 March 2008

Firstpage

1

Lastpage

9

Abstract

The SpaceDev MMB-100 spacecraft platform is a single-string 100-kg class microsat that is suitable for experiments, flight demonstrations, and highly-responsive missions. It is designed specifically for 1-2 year LEO missions. It has flexible launch options, including the ESPA ring and the SpaceX Falcon launch vehicle. The MMB-100 makes extensive use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) parts and software, which enables low cost and rapid development times. Attitude control performance is better than 25 microradians (1-sigma). The power subsystem is flexible, and can accommodate orbit-average payload loads of up to 150 W. Telemetry and data transfers from the spacecraft to the ground are implemented via FTP using standard Internet protocols. The MMB-100 represents a significant departure from conventional spacecraft design practices, and will enable a new generation of small, low-cost satellites.

Keywords

aerospace computing; artificial satellites; attitude control; software packages; COTS parts; ESPA ring; LEO missions; SpaceDev MMB-100 spacecraft platform; SpaceX Falcon launch vehicle; attitude control performance; commercial off-the-shelf parts; low-cost responsive microsat bus; off-the-shelf software; single-string 100-kg class microsat; standard Internet protocols; Aerospace control; Aerospace materials; Aircraft manufacture; Costs; Documentation; Low earth orbit satellites; Payloads; Quality assurance; Space vehicles; Telemetry;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Aerospace Conference, 2008 IEEE

Conference_Location

Big Sky, MT

ISSN

1095-323X

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-1487-1

Electronic_ISBN

1095-323X

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/AERO.2008.4526531

Filename

4526531