Reconfigurable PnP Spacecraft Structure

Plug-and-play (PnP) avionics for spacecraft are being developed by the Air Force to create systems that promise revolutionary improvements in responsiveness for military users. To keep pace, similar developments are needed in other supporting spacecraft systems. Under the Phase I project, SpaceWorks developed an initial version of PnP spacecraft structure that included all-aluminum construction, modular panels for quick assembly, standard PnP mechanical and electrical interfaces on interior and exterior surfaces, electronics infrastructure and harnessing recessed within the structural panels, and locking hinge joints to permit panels to rotate for easy access to internal components for integration and test. In Phase II, we will reproduce very significant portions of the design in carbon fiber composite and deliver a qualified, flight-ready composite spacecraft structure. The transition from aluminum to composite will reduce spacecraft structure mass by 33% and increase the payload mass fraction. Panel design and materials maximize the flexibility to incorporate multifunctional features such as embedded high performance thermal management devices and integrated structural sensors. Through modeling, demonstration, and hardware validation we will demonstrate that this approach can be extended to support the requirements of responsive spacecraft.