Columbus pressurized module verification

The baseline verification approach of the COLUMBUS Pressurized Module was defined during the A and B1 project phases. Peculiarities of the verification program are the testing requirements derived from the permanent manned presence in space. The model philosophy and the test program have been developed in line with the overall verification concept. Such critical areas as meteoroid protections, heat pipe radiators and module seals are identified and tested. Verification problem areas are identified and recommendations for the next development are proposed

IRIS thermal balance test within ESTEC LSS

The Italian Research Interim Stage (IRIS) thermal balance test was successfully performed in the ESTEC Large Space Simulator (LSS) to qualify the thermal design and to validate the thermal mathematical model. Characteristics of the test were the complexity of the set-up required to simulate the Shuttle cargo bay and allowing IRIS mechanism actioning and operation for the first time in the new LSS facility. Details of the test are presented, and test results for IRIS and the LSS facility are described

System test approach for the SAX satellite

SAX satellite verification is based on a protoflight approach, in which only one system model is realized at flight standard level, taking into account the utilization of hardware already qualified for other space programs and the necessity to respect the schedule constraints for a scientific objective. In any case, this approach was tailored with some deviations in order to reduce risks inherent in such a choice. The protoflight approach was also pursued at subsystem/unit level in particular for those subsystems and units considered critical from the schedule point of view. Payload Instruments followed the same approach but complete spare units were developed to reduce the risks associated with such an approach. A description of the model philosophy is provided and then, at satellite level, the testing approach and rationale for each model is presented. Finally, a brief description of each test will be given, highlighting objectives, methodologies, and test configurations. Moreover, for the major tests, problems encountered and solutions applied in establishing a correct approach are described

Magnetic cleanliness verification approach on tethered satellite

Magnetic cleanliness testing was performed on the Tethered Satellite as the last step of an articulated verification campaign aimed at demonstrating the capability of the satellite to support its TEMAG (TEthered MAgnetometer) experiment. Tests at unit level and analytical predictions/correlations using a dedicated mathematical model (GANEW program) are also part of the verification activities. Details of the tests are presented, and the results of the verification are described together with recommendations for later programs

The international post-graduate Master programme for space exploration, SEEDS: education and training from a System Engineering perspective

The SEEDS (SpacE Exploration Development Systems) initiative was initially conceived and promoted by Politecnico di Torino and Thales Alenia Space-Italy in 2005. It aimed at establishing a post-graduate International Master Program in space exploration to offer an opportunity to young engineers to get prepared for the future of Europe in space and specifically in human space exploration. ISAE-Supaero in France and University of Leicester in UK participate to SEEDS together with Politecnico di Torino (Italy). Turin, Toulouse and Leicester have a long common tradition of space activities at both the industrial and academic level and within the SEEDS initiative they represent three poles of European cooperation in space programs. The Master course comprises two different steps in sequence: an initial learning phase and a Project Work phase. Both phases pursue a multidisciplinary approach, where all specialized disciplines are integrated to make the students able to acquire the system view and then to accomplish the conceptual design of a selected case-study. The distinguishing feature of SEEDS is the Project Work activity, performed by all students together under the supervision of academic and industrial tutors. Main objective of the Project Work is to train the students on the basic principles of the system engineering design, through their application to a well-defined project related to a specific human space exploration mission. The Project Work includes the Preparatory Work, during which the students identify the complete architecture and overall scenario of the mission, and the conceptual design activities, performed in the three European sites to develop a limited number of building blocks. Seven academic years of activities have passed and seven project works have been successfully completed, dealing with various space exploration themes. The eighth edition is currently under way with the aim of designing a “Transit and return habitable Mars orbital port”. The paper focuses on the description of the Master Program, both from the point of view of its contents, structure and multidisciplinary design methodologies, and on the main results achieved in terms of Project Work activities. The positive experience of seven years of SEEDS is brought to evidence and the lessons learned are discussed

LuNaDrone: Small Autonomous Spacecraft for Lunar Lava Tubes Exploration

Interest in human exploration of the Moon is increasing again, giving greater importance to the exploration of geological structures that could be used as lunar habitats such as lunar lava tubes. In this paper we present an overview of the importance of the exploration of these sites and propose the LuNaDrone mission concept, which relies on a compact spacecraft capable of performing autonomous flight in the lunar near-surface environment and inside lunar pits, in order to find potential openings to lava tubes. We discuss exploration challenges and compare strengths and weaknesses with different institutions’ proposals, then describe the LuNaDrone concept of operations and present the current development of the most critical spacecraft systems

LuNaDrone: nano drone for Lunar Exploration

The LuNaDrone mission concept aims at exploring the entrance of a lunar lava tube by means of a small spacecraft capable of performing autonomous flights. Access from the lunar surface to these volcanogenic underground channels may be provided through skylights, vertical shafts formed by partial collapses of the lava tube ceilings. The lunar pits that have been discovered in recent years are already of great scientific relevance, but those that will prove to be skylights will be of great interest for human exploration, as the caves they give access to would shelter from cosmic radiations, micrometeoroids, and extreme temperature swings. The LuNaDrone mission concept provides opportunities both to acquire data scientifically relevant to planetary science and to assess the feasibility of establishing lunar outposts at these sites. The proposal relies on LuNaDrone, a compact spacecraft of 12U, which would land on the Moon aboard a host spacecraft (HSC). The HSC would provide power and communications to LuNaDrone until the start of the drone's operational phase, which would begin with the detachment from the HSC. The drone is equipped with a monopropellant propulsion system and a range-visual-inertial navigation system that together provide the spacecraft with the ability to perform a controlled flight which includes: reaching the skylight, descending into the pit, emerging from the skylight and landing at a site in line-of-sight with the HSC. During the flight, LuNaDrone would be able to acquire data concerning the morphology of the lunar pit and the accessibility conditions of the lava tube entrance, if present. Although LuNaDrone is designed for the exploration of lunar pits, its ability to quickly traverse difficult terrain and acquire images from a high vantage point makes this type of spacecraft an ideal forward reconnaissance platform that would offer a broad range of scouting possibilities. The LuNaDrone concept was conceived in response to the Artemis Accords signed by Italy and USA in 2020. The idea behind this project is to follow the same approach adopted for CubeSats in terms of standardisation and modularity, i.e. to meet the need for standard, flexible and low-cost drones for lunar exploration. The LuNaDrone project, which is led by Politecnico di Torino with the involvement of selected Italian SME's under the aegis of CEIPIEMONTE (in particular for international relations), has been underway for two years and, after successfully concluding the feasibility studies, is now entering the prototype phase, tackling the development of LuNaDrone’s systems