Modular Rapid Response Spacecraft Integration Using an Open Standard Network Architecture

The current state of the art methodology for satellite development and integration relies on highly customized payload designs. The Air Force has identified an operational need for the capability to launch spacecraft on demand for a variety of DoD missions. A critical missing enabling technology is needed to achieve this goal is the ability to rapidly integrate and launch these spacecraft. To address this critical need, we propose to develop a network based standard for spacecraft payload and bus components describing the command, control, signal, data, and software interface requirements that suppliers of equipment must conform to. We will leverage and extend from work performed on the Network Data Acquisition System (NDAS) for the Deployable Structures Experiment (DSX) to develop a core network infrastructure from which satellites could be rapidly configured, integrated, and tested. To address the space access aspect of the rapid-response problem, we will examine use of the EELV Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) capability as a platform for highly-capable small and medium free-flying satellites (or ESPASats) that have plentiful and relatively inexpensive launch opportunities on EELV as secondary payloads.