NASA INTEREST IN NANOSATELLITES

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NASA INTEREST IN NANOSATELLITES

• Pete Klupar
• Peter.d.klupar_at_nasa.gov

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Statement of Problem
View From Ames Research Center

• High cost of space access prohibits on-orbit
  testing of new technologies and small satellites
• Limited flight opportunities force rideshare
  solutions
• Promising new technologies cannot be flight
  proven
• Students and young aerospace professionals have
  few opportunities for hands-on experience with
  flight systems
• Decade-long programs preclude cradle-to-grave
  program experience
• Almost 50 of NASA eligible for retirement
• History is littered with failed promises of
  low-cost launchers
• Few have progressed past paper concepts
• Systems that do fly invariably get much more
  expensive
• Why
• Input from Joseph Padavano, Delta Velocity
  Corporation
• Emphasis on propulsion rather than system design
  and operation
• Unrealistic mission models and learning curves
• Reliance on immature technology
• Naïve expectations for modularity
• Overly complex system design
• Failure to account for real-world costs

This Country Needs a Cheap Bantam Class Launcher
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What Are Nanosats Good For

• NASA Applications
• Platforms for Demonstrations of simple payloads
• Platform for simple instruments such as particle
  physics
• Hypersonic test vehicle for aerospace components
• Launch vehicle for test articles for materials,
  devices, components
• Simple Communications vehicles
• Pharmaceutical test vehicles
• Physical Science Payloads
• What We Want
• Orbital launch vehicle for small payloads (10-20
  kgs to LEO) Mercury Orbit
• Very low cost rocket unit price on the order of
  2,000K
• Low cost and rapid Fabrication less than 4
  months
• Small and lightweight airframe
• Highly transportable
• Innovative design using existing technologies
• High Levels of integration with Spacecraft

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Future Nanosats

• Leverage other Government Agencies
• Advanced multifunctional materials/devices
• Liquid-ion thrusters ISPgt3000, gt85 efficiency
• MEMS thrusters ISP290, 10-200N thrust
• Lightweight Composites

• Leverage COTS developments
• Advanced COTS processors
• MEMS gyros
• Advanced RF electronics
• Battery technology
• Etc.

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Roadmap
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
Technologies
Other Instruments
Grating Laser
Grating Interferometer
UV Diode
Grating Displacement
Tech. Integration
Other Capabilities
Drag Free Flight
Caging Mechanism
Formation Flying
Micro/Nanothrusters
Platforms
3U Cubesat
6U Cubesat
Microsatellite Sorties
Microsatellite Constellation
Launch Opportunities
4Q 10
3Q 09
1Q 10
2Q 11
4Q 11
Atlas V
Falcon 1
Minotaur IV
Minotaur I