Flexible and Extensible Bus for Small Satellites (FEBSS)

Numerous organization in the US space community have expressed interest in using small satellites to perform space experiments, technology demonstrations, testing of prototype hardware and software, and the fielding of revolutionary systems such assatellite constellations. Unfortunately, the lack of a standardized, low-cost, small satellite bus architecture has and will limit our ability to advance the state of the art in space systems and components. To solve this problem AeroAstro proposes todevelop FEBSS (Flexible and Extensible Bus for Small Satellites) a complete, low-cost, modular, bus architecture for small satellites (e.g., 10kg class University Nanosatellite). FEBSS modularity will allow the satellite developer to select only thosecomponents necessary to meet the mission requirements. It will provide an 'auto-sense plug-and-play' connectivity both between the payload and the bus and between each bus subsystem. The FEBSS subsystems will be couched in a modular, standardized, openarchitecture framework that will significantly reduce overall development time, technical risk, and total cost. It is anticipated that the non-proprietary open architecture concept will benefit satellite developers because it provides them with choiceswhen it comes to specific subsystem module selection - modules will be available from different manufactures with differing levels of performance and price. The FEBSS concept will significantly reduce the cost, complexity, and development time required toassemble a small satellite bus to meet a satellite developer's mission requirements. It is anticipated that individuals and organizations across the US space community will benefit from FEBSS because it will facilitate getting to space more quickly,easily, and economically. Microspace has been and will continue to grow for the foreseeable future. AeroAstro believes that FEBSS has tremendous commercial potential and intends to actively pursue all opportunities.