SBIR-STTR Award

Numerous organization in the US space community have expressed interest in using small satellites to perform space experiments, technology demonstrations, testing of prototype hardware and software, and the fielding of revolutionary systems such as satellite constellations. Unfortunately, the lack of a standardized, low-cost, small satellite bus architecture has and will limit our ability to advance the state of the art in space systems and components. To solve this problem AeroAstro proposes to develop FEBSS (Flexible and Extensible Bus for Small Satellites) a complete, low-cost, modular, bus architecture for small satellites (e.g., 10kg class University Nanosatellite). FEBSS modularity will allow the satellite developer to select only those components necessary to meet the mission requirements. It will provide an ''auto-sense plug-and-play'' connectivity both between the payload and the bus and between each bus subsystem. The FEBSS subsystems will be couched in a modular, standardized, open architecture framework that will significantly reduce overall development time, technical risk, and total cost. It is anticipated that the non-proprietary open architecture concept will benefit satellite developers because it provides them with choices when it comes to specific subsystem module selection - modules will be available from different manufactures with differing levels of performance and price.

Benefits:
The FEBSS concept will significantly reduce the cost, complexity, and development time required to assemble a small satellite bus to meet a satellite developer’s mission requirements. It is anticipated that individuals and organizations across the US space community will benefit from FEBSS because it will facilitate getting to space more quickly, easily, and economically. Microspace has been and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. AeroAstro believes that FEBSS has tremendous commercial potential and intends to actively pursue all opportunities.

Keywords:
small satellite bus,modular satellite, University Nanosatellite, plug-and-play

For the past several years, AeroAstro has been unifying the results of its SBIR efforts into a central thrust to once and for all bring the cost of spacecraft buses below one million dollars. This has resulted in a modular stackable spacecraft system; the Plug’n’Sense software architecture standard which allows spacecraft subsystems to interact without a great deal of custom hardware or software; the Universal Small Payload Interface to make launch vehicle integration more transparent; and finally, the Flexible Extensible Bus for Small Satellites. The interface standards and the modular spacecraft design directly support the Responsive Space initiative, creating a spacecraft system with a fast-turnaround and one that is achievable at low-cost. The opportunity of FEBSS Phase II is to clear the final technical hurdle needed before a mission can take place: the creation of a set of core modules, solar power, batteries, and communications (with the Arbiter, the 'Command & Data Handling' of the architecture). With just these modules a basic spacecraft bus can be assembled and flown. It is anticipated that in a Phase III effort a passive-ACS-type microsatellite mission could realistically be performed using only the three module types developed here.

Benefits:
In this Phase II effort, AeroAstro will develop four product prototypes, three complete modular spacecraft modules, and, by assembling these modules, a prototype passively stabilized spacecraft bus. The individual modules are: a solar array module that will be used for power generation while on orbit, a secondary battery module to power the system during high-load operations or while in eclipse, and a radio module that will allow the spacecraft to receive commands from the ground and telemeter data to the ground. These modules will also contain all the computing power needed to run a microsatellite mission. The capability that these modules provide are the basis set for nearly all spacecraft bus designs. The customer base for modular spacecraft is essentially the entire space community. Given that, right now the market size is relatively small for micro-spacecraft, only a few spacecraft buses are purchased each year. The hope is that by significantly reducing the cost and complexity of space access, through modular spacecraft technology, the market size will begin to grow as more customers can afford to fly their payloads. An added benefit here, and one that will also help increase the market size, is that as more small spacecraft are flown, the pervasive question of what are small spacecraft good for will be answered. Because modular spacecraft are ideally suited to missions requiring multiple, cooperating spacecraft, AeroAstro believes that this will be one of the first market segments that will be penetrated. Because of their standardized interfaces, and performance flexibility, scores of modular spacecraft can be assembled using production line methods, further reducing the overall cost of these missions.

Keywords:
modular, spacecraft, satellite, plug-and-play, bus, tactical, responsive space, low-cost