Aerospace Engineering Commons^™

Monolith: Spacecraft, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL’s Pearl spacecraft architecture delivers the performance, reliability, and mission flexibility needed for demanding small satellite missions. The Pearl architecture draws from common sets of components to build 3U, 6U, 12U, and custom sizes with variations in mission capability, parts quality, and radiation tolerance. This flexibility enables our professional staff to develop systems specific to each mission while drawing on a common design to maintain reliability and costs.

Gr: Geospatial Reality, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Space Dynamics Laboratory developed Geospatial Reality (GR), a Government-owned, open software architecture that enhances military/DoD system capability by visually presenting warfighters with tactically relevant, geospatial situational awareness information in real time. GR is designed to facilitate both real-time Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) applications on a variety of systems. Most of the underlying software methods are typically the same for both AR and VR and often the location of the operator is the only difference between the two.

Snpp Cris Noise Characterization And Relative Response After 5 Years In Space, Kori Moore, Mark Esplin, Deron Scott

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

CrIS Background

Satellite-based, infrared, Fourier transform spectrometer

• Provides Earth surface, atmospheric, and weather observations
• Global coverage twice daily

Launched and operational CrIS instruments

• Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (SNPP) spacecraft, launched Oct. 2011, operational since Apr. 2012
• SNPP follow-on system (J1) launched Nov. 2017, expected operational spring 2018

Two Dimensional Grating Magneto-Optical Trap, Eric A. Imhof, Benjamin K. Stuhl, Brian Kasch, Bethany Kroese, Spencer E. Olson, Matthew B. Squires

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

We demonstrate a two-dimensional grating magneto optical trap (2D GMOT) with a single input beam and a planar diffraction grating in ⁸⁷Rb. This configuration allows for an increase in experimental access when compared with a traditional 2D MOT. As configured in the paper, the output flux is > 4 × 10⁸ rubidium atoms/s at a mean velocity of 18 m/s. The velocity distribution has a 3 m/s standard deviation. We use the atomic beam from the 2D GMOT to demonstrate loading of a three dimensional grating MOT (3D GMOT) with 2 × 10⁸ atoms. Methods to improve flux …

Acid: Anti-Jam Cots Infiltrator Drone, Scott Anderson

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Anticipating the adversaries’ next move

Next-generation improvised, RF-silent drone:

• No GPS and no RF link in or out
• Passive sensor navigation (inertial, vision, etc.)
• Impervious to electronic countermeasures
• Renders electronic attack devices obsolete
• Freely operates in GPS-denied/EW areas

Low-cost, fire-and-forget, improvised weapon

Red team test asset

Deployable system in its own right

Kinetic/directed energy is the only way to defeat

Flexsar Bistatic And Monostatic Circular Sar Collection, Chad Knight, Mark Jensen, Trevor Jewkes, Jacob Gunther

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Bistatic SAR data has advantages and disadvantages compared to monostatic data. This papers examines a combined bistatic and monostatic SAR data collection. The airborne platform used a monostatic radar system with two transmit and two receive channels in a pulsed spotlight mode. Another receive-only system was placed on an elevated mountaintop. The mountaintop receive system had two receive channels. The airborne asset flew in a full circle around several targets, exercising a large range of bistatic geometries. Various SAR modes were collected, including single-channel, quad-channel, and along-track interferometry (ATI) data for monostatic and bistatic modalities. This paper focuses on the …

Ground Segment: Solutions, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL is a one-stop-shop for overhead and airborne ground systems and specializes in agile and flexible customized solutions. SDL’s solutions are Government owned with Government purpose rights. SDL has the facilities and staff to provide both unclassified and classified solutions.

Nova Test Facility: Nanosat Operation Verification & Assessment Test Facility, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Space Dynamics Laboratory’s (SDL) advanced NOVA test facility characterizes and verifies subsystem and system performance of small satellites up to 12 kg. The NOVA test facility provides testing to reduce preflight risk and verify requirements and is designed specifically for CubeSat-sized components and systems. NOVA augments SDL’s manufacturing, environmental testing, and calibration facilities, offering comprehensive testing capabilities and expertise for this class of small satellites.

Iris: Deep Space Small Satellite Radio, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

With nanosatellites being used for deep space missions, the need for a unique communications architecture to relay valuable mission data back to NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) is vital.

Pearl: Spacecraft Platform, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL’s Pearl spacecraft platform delivers the performance, reliability, and mission flexibility needed for demanding small satellite missions. The Pearl platform architecture draws from common sets of components to build 3U, 6U, 12U, and custom sizes with variations in mission capability, parts quality, and radiation tolerance. This flexibility enables our professional staff to develop systems specific to each mission while drawing on a common design to maintain reliability and costs.

Relative Orbital Motion Dynamics With Respect To A Rotating Spacecraft-Fixed Frame, Nicholas Ortolano, David K. Geller, Aaron Avery

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Clohessy-Wiltshire equations are commonly used to describe the relative orbit motion of two spacecraft in proximity to each other. The relative motion solution provided by these equations is most naturally given in a local-vertical, local horizontal frame. However, if a nearby spacecraft is spinning in a controlled or uncontrolled manner, it may be more convenient to describe the relative orbital motion in the rotating spacecraft-fixed frame. This may be especially true for satellite inspection or approach to a spinning spacecraft. In this paper a set of linear-time-varying differential equations describing the orbital relative motion of two spacecraft as observed …

Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment (Sunrise): Tracking Particle Acceleration And Transport In The Inner Heliosphere, Farah Alibay, Justin C. Kasper, T. Joseph W. Lazio

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The authors present a space-based array designed to localize and track the radio emission associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun. Radio emission from CMEs is a direct tracer of the particle acceleration in the inner heliosphere and potential magnetic connections from the lower solar corona to the larger heliosphere. These questions are among those highlighted in the Solar Decadal Study, e.g., “Discover and characterize fundamental processes that occur both within the heliosphere and throughout the Universe.” Furthermore, CME radio emission is quite strong such that only a relatively small number of antennas is required, and a small …

Real-Time Optimal Trajectory Planning For Orbital Rendezvous, Satellite Inspection, And Docking Based On Convex Optimization, David K. Geller, Nicholas Ortolano, Aaron Avery

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Convex optimization techniques have deterministic convergence properties, are self-starting, i.e., they do not require an initial guess, and have been tested in real-time environments. These optimization techniques are applied to the trajectory planning problem for orbital rendezvous and proximity operations. Spacecraft rendezvous, inspection, and final approach trajectories are considered. Optional trajectory constraints are considered including approach corridors, keep-out zones, and maximum thrust acceleration levels. Two linear dynamics models are investigated: Clohessy-Wiltshire dynamics to describe the relative motion in an LVLH frame, and a new relative orbital motion dynamics model to describe the motion relative to a spinning or uncontrolled spacecraft. …

Nsgt: Software-Defined Nanosatellite Ground Transceiver, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Ground station operators need an affordable, configurable solution to communicate with small satellite radios.

SDL’s software-defined nanosatellite ground transceiver is low cost and highly configurable. It is compatible with a broad range of industry radios, including SDL’s Cadet U and Cadet PLUS.

The nanosatellite ground transceiver can also be used for benchtop testing during spacecraft integration.

Calibration & Testing, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

WHY CALIBRATE?

Once you have designed and built a sensor, it is essential that you calibrate it—especially when it comes to space instruments. Calibration is the only way to translate your raw sensor data into scientific units that can be analyzed for vital information. Science can only occur when you have calibrated data.

In addition, calibration helps you verify that your sensor meets the requirements and helps to identify performance issues under operational conditions before you fly. Thorough calibration testing before deployment significantly increases the probability of mission success.

Cadet: Uhf & Uhf Plus S-Band Radios, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

With the increase in Government-funded and industry small satellites missions, the need for a more robust communication infrastructure is critical for the CubeSat community. As part of the solution, SDL provides the Cadet U and Cadet PLUS radios as powerful communications tools ideal for small satellites. These affordable solutions are available in both UHF (Cadet U) and UHF plus S-Band (Cadet PLUS) configurations. The Cadet radios are compact, power efficient, high data rate transceivers. SDL optimized the design, from the electronics to the modes of operation, for low power consumption.

Multispectral Optical Telescope Alignment Testing For Cryogenic Space Environment, Trent Newswander, Preston Hooser, James Champagne

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Multispectral space telescopes with visible to long wave infrared spectral bands provide difficult alignment challenges. The visible channels require precision in alignment and stability to provide good image quality in short wavelengths. This is most often accomplished by choosing materials with near zero thermal expansion glass or ceramic mirrors metered with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) that are designed to have a matching thermal expansion. The IR channels are less sensitive to alignment but they often require cryogenic cooling for improved sensitivity with the reduced radiometric background. Finding efficient solutions to this difficult problem of maintaining good visible image quality …

Multi-Static Mimo Along-Track Interferometry (Atl), Chad Knight, Ross Deming, Jake Gunther

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Along-track interferometry (ATI) has the ability to generate high-quality synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and concurrently detect and estimate the positions of ground moving target indicators (GMTI) with moderate processing requirements. This paper focuses on several different ATI system configurations, with an emphasis on low-cost configurations employing no active electronic scanned array (AESA). The objective system has two transmit phase centers and four receive phase centers and supports agile adaptive radar behavior. The advantages of multistatic, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) ATI system configurations are explored. The two transmit phase centers can employ a ping-pong configuration to provide the multistatic …

Design And Use Of The Ionospheric Connection Explorer Payload Mockup, Burt Lamborn, John Elwell, Andy Little, William Craig, Rich Rynders, Eric Moulton

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellite contains six science instruments that are integrated into a small volume on a single payload interface plate (PIP). Integrating these six instruments onto a single deck was challenging and complex in part due to their different physical configurations. After investigating various methods of reducing integration schedule and risk, an innovative approach of creating a high-fidelity full-scale mockup using 3D printed parts was chosen to address these concerns. This mockup included all instruments, the PIP, and associated harnessing, plumbing, and blanketing components. While the mockup integration effort yielded invaluable information for the flight payload integration, …

Celis: Compact Eyesafe Lidar System, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

SDL has developed a novel Compact Eyesafe Lidar System (CELiS) designed to monitor airborne particulate matter (PM) emissions. It uses a 1.57 µm wavelength commercial laser, an 8 inch off-axis parabolic mirror, and a 200 µm diameter InGaAs avalanche photodetector (APD). The laser, mirror, and APD are mounted on a carbon fiber breadboard and housed in an environmentally-sealed housing. CELiS can operate over an 80°C temperature range with an optical path change of only 100 µm.

Shield: Shotgun Interdiction Of Enemy Low-Flying Drones, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

When conventional disruption and neutralization methods fail, it’s time to choose a kinetic solution. SHIELD is a preliminary concept for an automatic, state-of-the art kinetic defense system. Drones can be eliminated at ranges up to 100 meters. The SHIELD weapon system design consists of an ultra-reliable, high-capacity, semiautomatic shotgun with tungsten shot. This weapon system is coupled with precision pointing, target tracking, and real-time ballistics, ensuring high first-round hit probability. Battle-network capable, SHIELD can perform slew-to-cue operations and cue other networked systems.

Calibration Considerations For A Reduced-Timeline Optimized Approach For Vnir Earth-Orbiting Satellites, Zachary Bergen, Joe Tansock

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

With the increasing number of commercial satellite constellations launching, the need for calibration remains as relevant as ever. Some of these instruments are built with COTS optical components and, given the number and need for timely calibration, a flexible, dynamic, and streamlined approach is necessary for reproducibility, regression testing, adaptability, and high-quality image data. We present a use case for a commercial VNIR payload and demonstrate techniques and a storyboard of our experience. We ran a calibration campaign on a 100” focal length telescope assembled in a payload of approximate 50kg containing a commercial Bayer pattern camera of medium resolution …

Rdg: Remote Door Gunner, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Leveraging decades of experience in precision optical and spacecraft pointing systems, SDL developed the Remote Door Gunner (RDG) system, a M240/M134 door gunner station. RDG was designed for operation inside a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

Di2e: Defense Intelligence Information Enterprise, Space Dynamics Laboratory

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The rising demand for rapid intelligence software solutions combined with limited Government funding has highlighted the need for an organized process to use resources more efficiently. The solution needed to leverage existing capabilities to meet mission needs and ensure that defense intelligence information flows seamlessly across enterprise boundaries. In response, as a Government initiative, the NRO and AFRL developed the Defense Intelligence Information Enterprise (DI2E) framework as a solution to promote intelligence software asset reuse where possible.

Phase Change Cells And The Verification Of Gallium As A Thermal Calibration Reference In Space, Harri Latvikoski, Gail E. Bingham, T. Shane Topham, Igor Podolski

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The validation of models of global climate change and accurate measurement of the atmosphere and surface temperatures require that orbital sensors have low drift rates, and are monitored or regularly recalibrated by accepted standards. Phase change materials (PCM), such as those that make up the ITS-90 standard, are the basis for international commerce and have been suggested for monitoring and recalibration of orbital temperature sensors. Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL) and its partners have been developing miniaturized phase change reference technologies that could be deployed on an orbital blackbody for nearly a decade. A significant part of this effort has been …

Thermal Earth Resource Monitoring Instrument (Thermi) Size, Weight And Power (Swap) Reduction, T. Newswander, Z. Bergen, J. Hancock, S. Hansen, A. Shumway, J. Stauder, D. Williams

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Thermal Earth Resource Monitoring Instrument (THERMI) has been designed to meet stringent Landsat heritage requirements with reduced size, weight and power (SWaP). The instrument design provides Earth resource monitoring through the use of two long-wave infrared bands that measure the land surface temperatures. These bands are especially valuable for monitoring water resources and water use. Instrument subsystems, including electronics, cryocooler, thermal management, optical telescope assembly, focal plane module, in-flight calibrator, and scene select mirror were studied and conceptually designed to reduce overall THERMI SWaP. Reductions in SWaP make it possible for THERMI to fit on a small satellite bus …

Common Calibration Standards For Visible/Infrared Optical Sensors Are Essential To Multi-Sensor Missile Defense Architectures, Joe Tansock, Alan Thurgood, Bruce Guilmain, Garry Schnelzer

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Outline

• What is calibration and why is it important?
• What calibration provides to visible/infrared optical sensors being used for missile defense
• Mapping of missile defense needs to calibration domains
• Calibration planning
• Calibration examples (airborne and spaceborne)
• Summary

Tuning And Measuring Trap Shape For Cold Atom Sensors, James A. Stickney

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

Table of Contents

1. Tuneable atom chip
2. Cloud sloshing in a weakly non-harmonic trap
3. Data

Flexsar A High-Quality, Flexible, Cost-Effective, Prototype Sar System, Mark Jensen, Chad Knight

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The FlexSAR radar system was designed to be a high quality, low-cost, flexible prototype instrument. Many radar researchers and practitioners desire the ability to efficiently prototype novel configurations. The resulting cost and time required to modify existing radar systems is a challenging hurdle that can be prohibitive. The FlexSAR system couples an RF design that leverages connectorized components with digital commercial of the shelf (COTS) cards. This design allows for a scalable system that supports software defined radio (SDR) capabilities. This paper focuses on the RF and digital system design discussing the advantages and disadvantages. The FlexSAR system design objective …

Small Swap 3d Imaging Flash Ladar For Small Tactical Unmanned Air Systems, Alan Bird, Scott A. Anderson, Michael Wojcik, Scott E. Budge

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

The Space Dynamics Laboratory (SDL), working with Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and industry leaders Advanced Scientific Concepts (ASC) and Hood Technology Corporation, has developed a small SWAP (size, weight, and power) 3D imaging flash ladar (LAser Detection And Ranging) sensor system concept design for small tactical unmanned air systems (STUAS). The design utilizes an ASC 3D flash ladar camera and laser in a Hood Technology gyro-stabilized gimbal system. The design is an autonomous, intelligent, geo-aware sensor system that supplies real-time 3D terrain and target images. Flash ladar and visible camera data are processed at the sensor using a custom digitizer/frame …