3,582 research outputs found

    CUSTARD (Cranfield University Space Technology Advanced Research Demonstrator) - A Micro-System Technology Demonstrator Nanosatellite. Summary of the Group Design Project MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering. 1999-2000, Cranfield University

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    CUSTARD (Cranfield University Space Technology And Research Demonstrator) was the group design project for students of the MSc in Astronautics and Space Engineering for the Academic Year 1999/2000 at Cranfield University. The project involved the initial design of a nanosatellite to be used as a technology demonstrator for microsystem technology (MST) in space. The students worked together as one group (organised into several subgroups, e.g. system, mechanical), with each student responsible for a set of work packages. The nanosatellite designed had a mass of 4 kg, lifetime of 3 months in low Earth orbit, coarse 3-axis attitude control (no orbit control), and was capable of carrying up to 1 kg of payload. The electrical power available was 18 W (peak). Assuming a single X-band ground station at RAL (UK), a data rate of up to 1 M bit s-1 for about 3000 s per day is possible. The payloads proposed are a microgravity laboratory and a formation flying experiment. The report summarises the results of the project and includes executive summaries from all team members. Further information and summaries of the full reports are available from the College of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

    Paper Session III-A - Artificial Expertise in Systems Engineering

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    As technology development and engineering problems have grown in complexity, technical systems have evolved to meet these challenges. This evolution has occurred within a foundation of traditional engineering analysis and work processes originating prior to current computer technology. These processes were designed to improvise and compensate for ambiguous design or analysis information. Systems engineering optimization of computer technology applications can eliminate or redesign engineering processes such that the unified system function focuses on innovation, flexibility, speed, and quality. Artificial Expertise for systems engineering refers to the application of artificial intelligence expert systems and shared data bases to promote the integration of cross-functional engineering groups through technical interchange and control mechanisms. This paper presents some conceptual applications and examples for implementing artificial expertise in system development

    The University Micro/Nanosatellite as a Micropropulsion Testbed

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    Using reconfigurable and adaptable networks of micro/nanosatellites to support cost-effective space missions is a popular new direction in the space community. Since the overall resources of micro/nanosatellites are more restricted than those of a single large satellite, the micropropulsion system needs to be lightweight, low-cost, and practical. This paper describes the collaboration between the Arizona State University Student Satellite Lab and the Air Force Research Laboratory Propulsion Directorate to flight test a micropropulsion system on a nanosatellite, ASUSat2. The motivation behind this conjuncture is to employ university satellites as an inexpensive testbed for unconventional new technologies. This paper first provides background on the needs of a micropropulsion system on a micro/nanosatellite cluster, and outlines the issues concerning its development. Then it addresses the experience of the ASU group in designing and building nanosatellites, and describes the design and mission of ASUSat2, which is part of a three-satellite constellation. Next, it examines two micropropulsion systems, the free molecule micro-resistojet and the cold-gas micronozzle, for the ASUSat2 mission. The preliminary study shows that the free molecule micro-resistojet would be an attractive micropropulsion system for ASUSat2

    Text mining and natural language processing for the early stages of space mission design

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    Final thesis submitted December 2021 - degree awarded in 2022A considerable amount of data related to space mission design has been accumulated since artificial satellites started to venture into space in the 1950s. This data has today become an overwhelming volume of information, triggering a significant knowledge reuse bottleneck at the early stages of space mission design. Meanwhile, virtual assistants, text mining and Natural Language Processing techniques have become pervasive to our daily life. The work presented in this thesis is one of the first attempts to bridge the gap between the worlds of space systems engineering and text mining. Several novel models are thus developed and implemented here, targeting the structuring of accumulated data through an ontology, but also tasks commonly performed by systems engineers such as requirement management and heritage analysis. A first collection of documents related to space systems is gathered for the training of these methods. Eventually, this work aims to pave the way towards the development of a Design Engineering Assistant (DEA) for the early stages of space mission design. It is also hoped that this work will actively contribute to the integration of text mining and Natural Language Processing methods in the field of space mission design, enhancing current design processes.A considerable amount of data related to space mission design has been accumulated since artificial satellites started to venture into space in the 1950s. This data has today become an overwhelming volume of information, triggering a significant knowledge reuse bottleneck at the early stages of space mission design. Meanwhile, virtual assistants, text mining and Natural Language Processing techniques have become pervasive to our daily life. The work presented in this thesis is one of the first attempts to bridge the gap between the worlds of space systems engineering and text mining. Several novel models are thus developed and implemented here, targeting the structuring of accumulated data through an ontology, but also tasks commonly performed by systems engineers such as requirement management and heritage analysis. A first collection of documents related to space systems is gathered for the training of these methods. Eventually, this work aims to pave the way towards the development of a Design Engineering Assistant (DEA) for the early stages of space mission design. It is also hoped that this work will actively contribute to the integration of text mining and Natural Language Processing methods in the field of space mission design, enhancing current design processes

    A Primer for Designing a Small Spacecraft Mission Operations Architecture

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    A thesis presented to the faculty of the College of Science at Morehead State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science by Joseph M. A. Feliciano on April 28, 2022

    Space exploration: The interstellar goal and Titan demonstration

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    Automated interstellar space exploration is reviewed. The Titan demonstration mission is discussed. Remote sensing and automated modeling are considered. Nuclear electric propulsion, main orbiting spacecraft, lander/rover, subsatellites, atmospheric probes, powered air vehicles, and a surface science network comprise mission component concepts. Machine, intelligence in space exploration is discussed

    Small Satellites: A Revolution in Space Science

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    This report describes the results of a study program sponsored by the Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) at the California Institute of Technology to explore how small satellite systems can uniquely enable new discoveries in space science. The disciplines studied span astrophysics, heliophysics, and planetary science (including NEOs, and other small bodies) based on remote and in-situ observations. The two workshops and study period that comprised this program brought together space scientists, engineers, technologists, mission designers, and program managers over 9 months. This invitation-only study program included plenary and subject matter working groups, as well as short courses and lectures for the public. Our goal was to conceive novel scientific observations, while identifying technical roadblocks, with the vision of advancing a new era of unique explorations in space science achievable using small satellite platforms from 200 kg down to the sub-kg level. The study program participants focused on the role of small satellites to advance space science at all levels from observational techniques through mission concept design. Although the primary goal was to conceive mission concepts that may require significant technology advances, a number of concepts realizable in the near-term were also identified. In this way, one unexpected outcome of the study program established the groundwork for the next revolution in space science, driven by small satellites platforms, with a near-term and far-term focus. There were a total of 35 KISS study participants across both workshops (July 16-20, 2012 and October 29-31, 2012) from 15 institutions including JPL, Caltech, JA / PocketSpacecraft.com, MIT, UCLA, U. Texas at Austin, U. Michigan, USC, The Planetary Society, Space Telescope Science Institute, Cornell, Cal Poly SLO, Johns Hopkins University, NRL, and Tyvak LLC. The first workshop focused on identifying new mission concepts while the second workshop explored the technology and engineering challenges identified via a facilitated mission concept concurrent design exercise. The Keck Institute limits the number of participants per workshop to at most 30 to encourage close interaction where roughly 20% involved in this study were students. This report is organized to communicate the outcome of the study program. It is also meant to serve as a public document to inform the larger community of the role small satellites can have to initiate a new program of exploration and discovery in space science. As such, it includes recommendations that could inform programmatic 1-5 decision making within space exploration agencies, both in the USA and internationally, on the promise of low-cost, focused, and high impact science should a strategic plan for small satellite space science be pursued. As such, the study program organizers and all participants are available to respond to any aspect of this report

    Issues in NASA program and project management

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    This new collection of papers on aerospace management issues contains a history of NASA program and project management, some lessons learned in the areas of management and budget from the Space Shuttle Program, an analysis of tools needed to keep large multilayer programs organized and on track, and an update of resources for NASA managers. A wide variety of opinions and techniques are presented
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