Using Autonomous Outposts as Data Relays to Support Distributed Spacecraft

Distributed small space vehicles, cooperating in a dynamic environment, are critical for the success of planetary exploration within the next decade. However, the effectiveness of these distributed vehicle swarms will be limited by two factors ndash; the size of the individual vehicles (which will determine onboard data relay capabilities) and their distance from the command and communications centers on Earth. The existence of flexible, low-cost Outposts ndash; Nanoracksrsquo; long-duration platforms created from repurposed upper stages ndash; in the cislunar and translunar environments can increase the resiliency and effectiveness of exploratory mission designs by providing a localized area network capacity for communication, pointing, navigation, and timing (PNT), and data relay back to Earth. In this proposed Phase II study, Nanoracks expects to test an integrated hardware and software system to enable advanced data relay capabilities. Nanoracks plans to apply for a following Phase II-E extension after 12 months of the Phase II project, leading to an eventual flight demonstration of the data relay. Nanoracks will leverage the technology reviews and feasibility studies resulting from Phase I activities to achieve the following deliverables: Subsystem Requirements Refinement, Technology Selections, Technological Partnerships Plan, Prototype Development Plan, Service Provision and Management Services, Autonomous Software Development, Hardware Prototype Development, Hardware-in-the-loop Testing, and Nanoracksrsquo; Commercialization Strategy.