Attitude Control Actuators for Operationally Responsive Space

ABSTRACT:The 2011 launches of ORS-1and TacSat-4 have demonstrated the feasibility to rapidly deploy spacecraft. These successes and progress on the Modular Space Vehicle, along with standardization (Space Plug and Play Architecture) continue to show promise in a responsive space architecture focused on modularity and reconfigurability. There is a need to enhance the capability of small spacecraft to support this paradigm via miniaturized, high performance, and cost-effective components. Small, agile space companies can act as liasons between the commercial and space markets to leverage their strengths to ensure products are robust to the space environment, carry appropriate mission assurance and risk profiles, and can be delivered in a fraction of the time and at a fraction of the cost of conventional space components. Honeybee Robotics proposes to offer an attitude control product line tailored to the ORS charter. This product line will enhance and optimize a small spacecrafts attitude control capability at a fraction of the cost and lead time associated with conventional attitude control system designs. By incorporating modular design techniques and leveraging proven reliable commercial product lines we can offer the space mission designer ultimate flexibility and enhanced performance for the attitude control system. BENEFIT:The proposed technology is widely applicable to commercial, military, and civil space markets. The Operationally Responsive Space office is tasked with providing timely satisfaction of Joint Commanders needs which includes technologies which can be placed into theatre in a rapid, cost effective manner. NASA and NOAA are actively pursuing small satellite technologies to support increasing demands for Earth science including but not limited to weather/climate, coral reef, ocean salinity, and carbon monitoring. Commercial satellite providers have been extremely profitable providing high resolution imagery to governments and corporations alike. The proposed technology offers these customers affordable and timely systems for high resolution remote sensing and imaging applications.