Reconfigurable PnP Spacecraft Structure

Plug-and-play 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 systems. SpaceWorks proposes to develop plug-and-play structures for spacecraft that have features that support these advanced avionics systems and that also contribute to the overall goals of reconfigurability, flexibility, modularity, and rapid assembly, integration, and checkout. The approach involves a small number of spacecraft panel types that can be assembled rapidly to form many useful spacecraft configurations. The panels have identical mechanical and electrical interfaces at discrete sites and between panels to enable rapid plug-and-play functionality for payloads and components. The plug-and-play electrical network consisting of electronics, harnessing, and connectors is recessed within each panel to maximize useable volume and footprint. Panel design and materials maximize the flexibility to incorporate multifunctional features such as thermal management devices, integrated structural sensors, and layered radiation shielding. SpaceWorks will fabricate a set of these panels leading to a demonstration showing how the approach supports plug-and-play avionics, provides a high degree of reconfigurability, and can meet a very demanding integration and checkout timeline.