NASA\u27s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator (PTD) project will test the operation of a variety of novel CubeSat technologies in low-Earth orbit, providing significant enhancements to the performance of these small and effective spacecraft. Each Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator mission will consist of a 6-unit (6U) CubeSat weighing approximately 12 kilograms and measuring 30 centimeters x 25 centimeters x 10 centimeters.
The PTD project led by NASA\u27s Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, California, in collaboration with NASA\u27s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio and a commercial partner will benefit future missions by demonstrating the operation of new subsystem technologies on orbit. These technologies include propulsion systems that provide the capability to maneuver small science platforms and send small spacecraft to deep space; novel technologies to stabilize spacecraft, and laser communications systems that will greatly increase the amount of data that can be transmitted from the spacecraft to the ground. As small spacecraft increase mobility and capability, NASA benefits by flight-qualifying these subsystems, providing access to low cost, highly capable, science and technology platforms that can operate from the near-Earth to the deep space environment.
The PTD mission is funded through NASA\u27s Small Spacecraft Technology Program (SSTP), which is chartered to develop and mature technologies to enhance and expand the capabilities of small spacecraft with a particular focus on communications, propulsion, pointing, power, and autonomous operations. The SSTP is one of nine programs within NASA\u27s Space Technology Mission Directorate.
This paper will include an overview of the PTD project, the PTD spacecraft bus interfaces and capabilities as an adaptable, commercially developed small satellite bus for LEO technology demonstration, potential types of payloads, expected timeframe and flights, and how the PTD project will be a pathfinder for novel small spacecraft technologies to be flight demonstrated for science, commercial, and governmental use
