2,728 research outputs found

    Space station needs, attributes, and architectural options. Volume 1. Executive summary

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    The initial space station should be manned, placed in 28.5 deg orbit, and provide substantial economic, performance, and social benefits. The most beneficial space station capabilities include: a space test facility; a transport harbor; satellite servicing and assembly; and an observatory. A space industrial park could be added once further development effort validates the cost and expanding commercial market for space processed materials. The potential accrued gross mission model benefit derived from these capabilities is 5.9Bwithouttheindustrialpark,and5.9B without the industrial park, and 9.3B with it. An unclassified overview of all phases of the study is presented

    Advancing the Scientific Frontier with Increasingly Autonomous Systems

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    A close partnership between people and partially autonomous machines has enabled decades of space exploration. But to further expand our horizons, our systems must become more capable. Increasing the nature and degree of autonomy - allowing our systems to make and act on their own decisions as directed by mission teams - enables new science capabilities and enhances science return. The 2011 Planetary Science Decadal Survey (PSDS) and on-going pre-Decadal mission studies have identified increased autonomy as a core technology required for future missions. However, even as scientific discovery has necessitated the development of autonomous systems and past flight demonstrations have been successful, institutional barriers have limited its maturation and infusion on existing planetary missions. Consequently, the authors and endorsers of this paper recommend that new programmatic pathways be developed to infuse autonomy, infrastructure for support autonomous systems be invested in, new practices be adopted, and the cost-saving value of autonomy for operations be studied.Comment: 10 pages (compared to 8 submitted to PSADS), 2 figures, submitted to National Academy of Sciences Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-203

    Dr. Franco Ongaro Keynote Address

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    Franco Ongaro took up duty as Director of Technical and Quality Management (D/TEC), and Head of ESTEC Establishment in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, on 1 April 2011. Franco Ongaro graduated as a Doctor of Aeronautical Engineering from the University Politecnico of Milan. In 1987 he joined ESA, working at ESA HQ in Paris on the Columbus project. In 1988, he moved to ESTEC in the Netherlands as Head of the Columbus Payload Interfaces Unit. He was shortlisted as candidate in the European astronaut selection of 1991. In 1994, Franco Ongaro moved back to HQ, to join the ESA Strategy Directorate as General Studies Programme Manager. In 2001, he initiated and managed the start of the Aurora exploration programme until 2005, when he became head of the ESA Advanced Concepts and Technology Planning Department, issuing the first ESA Technology Long Term Plan and creating the Advanced Concepts Team. From 2007, he led the preparation and implementation of the Iris programme to develop a \u27satcom\u27 component for air traffic management. In 2009 he became Head of the Telecom Technologies, Products and Systems Department in the Telecommunications and Integrated Applications Directorate at ESTEC. From 1994 until 2009, he taught a one-semester graduate course in spacecraft design at the University Politecnico of Milan

    ESA Technology CubeSats: Pushing the Mission Autonomy Envelope

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    Governance, membership, and community : developing a regional consumer co-operative in Saskatchewan

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    Retailers in rural Saskatchewan are having to contend with two predominant trends—rural and retail restructuring. Decreasing rural populations, increased consumer mobility, and the chronic instability of primary industries such as agriculture and forestry continue to impact rural communities in the province. The growing presence of multinational corporations, the drive for economies of scale, and the centralization of services into larger urban centers are all influencing the retail sector, particularly in rural areas. In response to these trends, retail co-operatives operating in Northern and Central Saskatchewan have joined a larger urban-based co-op in Prince Albert to form a regional co-operative. Co-operative theory suggests this regional structure may create internal obstacles for co-ops that differ from those of private firms, as co-operatives must consider the implications of reorganization on membership structures and member relations. While most of the empirical investigation has focused on large agricultural co-operatives, less attention has been afforded to consumer co-operatives.Through interviews with the delegates and managers of the Prince Albert Co-operative Association (PACA), this study examines how a multi-branch consumer co-operative has adapted to the present rural and retail milieu. It investigates the new relationships that have emerged among the key stakeholders including members, delegates, and managers as well as the new relations between the major structures, namely the branches and the central body. The research is a starting point for understanding how member and enterprise interests are mediated, communicated, and coordinated within a regional co-operative. Delegates are the focal point of the study as they play an integral role in all of these relations. The findings of the study suggest that while new relationships do form within a multi-branch system, the primary relationship between members and their local co-op branch remains relatively unaffected. Further, the study on the PACA adds to Fairtlough’s (2005) work on business structural forms called triarchies. It is argued that the integration of hierarchies, heterachies and responsible autonomy in the form of a federated network reinforces the staying power of the co-op in smaller communities

    Space station needs, attributes and architectural options. Volume 4, task 2 and 3: Mission implementation and cost

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    An overview of the basic space station infrastructure is presented. A strong case is made for the evolution of the station using the basic Space Transportation System (STS) to achieve a smooth transition and cost effective implementation. The integrated logistics support (ILS) element of the overall station infrastructure is investigated. The need for an orbital transport system capability that is the key to servicing and spacecraft positioning scenarios and associated mission needs is examined. Communication is also an extremely important element and the basic issue of station autonomy versus ground support effects the system and subsystem architecture

    Space Oddity: Space Cybersecurity Lessons from a Simulated OPS-SAT Attack

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    The space industry is currently experiencing a rapid transformation, driven by innovations both in space and on the ground. Lower access barriers to orbit and the widespread use of commercial off-the-shelf components have facilitated the rise of CubeSats. These small satellites, with their modular design and cost-effectiveness, enable smaller teams to engage in space operations and larger players to conduct groundbreaking technological demonstrations. Furthermore, decreasing launch costs and on-demand access to ground station services have encouraged more players to join the space industry, fostering an agile and diverse environment for experimentation. However, this growth is accompanied by significant cybersecurity challenges that demand urgent attention. Historically, the space industry has relied on security-through-obscurity, but this approach can no longer be tolerated as the industry opens up to new players and technologies. This work aims to address the often-dismissed matter of securing space vehicles, using OPS-SAT, one of the most advanced CubeSat missions, as a case study. Despite its remarkable capabilities, OPS-SAT is not immune to the general dismissal of cybersecurity that plagues the industry. This work will employ a demonstrative approach, devising and implementing an attack scenario against OPS-SAT. The chosen attacker model for this scenario is that of a malicious user with limited to no cybersecurity knowledge, reflecting the reality that attackers with varying degrees of expertise can pose a threat. While keeping the attack as simple as possible, the goal is to demonstrate the potential damage that could be caused. The findings of this work illustrate that the rapid pace of development in the space industry should be accompanied by an equally enthusiastic and vigilant security force. The importance of addressing cybersecurity concerns becomes evident as the industry evolves and attracts more players, emphasizing the need for a proactive and robust security posture to safeguard space missions and future infrastructures

    Space Station data system analysis/architecture study. Task 1: Functional requirements definition, DR-5

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    The initial task in the Space Station Data System (SSDS) Analysis/Architecture Study is the definition of the functional and key performance requirements for the SSDS. The SSDS is the set of hardware and software, both on the ground and in space, that provides the basic data management services for Space Station customers and systems. The primary purpose of the requirements development activity was to provide a coordinated, documented requirements set as a basis for the system definition of the SSDS and for other subsequent study activities. These requirements should also prove useful to other Space Station activities in that they provide an indication of the scope of the information services and systems that will be needed in the Space Station program. The major results of the requirements development task are as follows: (1) identification of a conceptual topology and architecture for the end-to-end Space Station Information Systems (SSIS); (2) development of a complete set of functional requirements and design drivers for the SSIS; (3) development of functional requirements and key performance requirements for the Space Station Data System (SSDS); and (4) definition of an operating concept for the SSIS. The operating concept was developed both from a Space Station payload customer and operator perspective in order to allow a requirements practicality assessment

    Spacelab cost reduction alternatives study. Volume 1: Executive summary

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    Alternative approaches to payload operations planning and control and flight crew training are defined for spacelab payloads with the goal of: lowering FY77 and FY 78 costs for new starts; lowering costs to achieve Spacelab operational capability; and minimizing the cost per Spacelab flight. These alternatives attempt to minimize duplication of hardware, software, and personnel, and the investment in supporting facility and equipment. Of particular importance is the possible reduction of equipment, software, and manpower resources such as comtational systems, trainers, and simulators

    Payload crew interface design criteria and techniques. Task 1: Inflight operations and training for payloads

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    Guidelines are developed for use in control and display panel design for payload operations performed on the aft flight deck of the orbiter. Preliminary payload procedures are defined. Crew operational concepts are developed. Payloads selected for operational simulations were the shuttle UV optical telescope (SUOT), the deep sky UV survey telescope (DUST), and the shuttle UV stellar spectrograph (SUSS). The advanced technology laboratory payload consisting of 11 experiments was selected for a detailed evaluation because of the availability of operational data and its operational complexity
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