A SMART Lego system for Space Structures

Acellent Technologies proposes to develop a modular plug-and-play SMART Lego SHM system to obtain real-time information for panel identification and damage detection in satellite panels during storage, upon assembly and prior to launch. This will potentially enable development of low cost, plug-and-play (PnP) satellite structures to provide an Operational Responsive Space (ORS) capability for the Air Force. Phase I focused on establishing feasibility of the system development. The Phase II program is designed to meet the challenges of the plug-and-play structures program to design, fabricate and test a practical working prototype of the SMART Lego SHM system taking into account, (1) Anticipated PnP satellite construction and assembly procedures, (2) Possible elimination of many existing satellite pre-launch test requirements and (3) Practical issues for implementation on a PnP satellite. Additionally Phase II will demonstrate the use of the SHM system to provide satellite on-orbit situational awareness information, such as (1) Impact and damage from orbital debris and micrometeoroids, (2) System identification to assess changes in satellite structural vibration modes resulting from damage incurred during launch, particle impacts, or attack and (3) Attack from laser scintillation or parasites.