NAVAL POSTGRADUATE

SCHOOL

NPS Space SystemsResearch

  

Operational Payoff/Transition TargetsOperational Payoff/Transition Targets::•Space weather now-casting / Ionospheric modelingSpace weather now-casting / Ionospheric modeling•Technology transition of lithium-ion batteries;  triple-junction solar Technology transition of lithium-ion batteries;  triple-junction solar cells;  Linux-based processor board; micro-electromechanical system cells;  Linux-based processor board; micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) sensors;  configurable, fault-tolerant computing targeting (MEMS) sensors;  configurable, fault-tolerant computing targeting operational/micro/nano satellitesoperational/micro/nano satellitesDeliverablesDeliverables::Space savvy officers – Space savvy officers – Space CadreSpace CadreSpace flight data on Space flight data on spacecraftspacecraft  technology for transition to operational technology for transition to operational systemssystemsSpace weatherSpace weather data for improved forecasting / nowcasting with  data for improved forecasting / nowcasting with implications for navigation, targeting, communicationsimplications for navigation, targeting, communicationsConcurrent Concurrent ground and spaced based measurements of ionospheric ground and spaced based measurements of ionospheric phenomenologyphenomenology

Technical ObjectiveTechnical ObjectiveNPSAT1 is a low-cost technology demonstration satelliteNPSAT1 is a low-cost technology demonstration satellite•Space WeatherSpace Weather•Spacecraft TechnologySpacecraft Technology•Graduate EducationGraduate EducationTechnology ChallengesTechnology ChallengesBuilt and flown by officer students, faculty and staff.  Full Built and flown by officer students, faculty and staff.  Full life cycle development of a space system.life cycle development of a space system.Technical ApproachesTechnical Approaches::•Officer Student Theses and Directed Study ProjectsOfficer Student Theses and Directed Study Projects•Ionospheric scintillation measurements and in-situ Ionospheric scintillation measurements and in-situ Langmuir Probe measurementsLangmuir Probe measurements•On-orbit solar cell performance measurementsOn-orbit solar cell performance measurements•Ground operations facility at NPS.Ground operations facility at NPS.

Cost and Schedule: Cost and Schedule: •Spacecraft development & test cost (thru launch):  $1.4MSpacecraft development & test cost (thru launch):  $1.4M

•Spacecraft build complete:Spacecraft build complete: June 2011June 2011•System-level test complete:System-level test complete: Nov. 2011Nov. 2011•NPSAT1 earliest launch:NPSAT1 earliest launch: Jan. 2012Jan. 2012

Contact Info:Contact Info:PI:PI: Rudolf PanholzerRudolf Panholzer

rpanholzer@nps.edu (831) 656-2154; rpanholzer@nps.edu (831) 656-2154; Tech. Lead:Tech. Lead: Dan SakodaDan Sakoda

dsakoda@nps.edu; (831) 656-3198dsakoda@nps.edu; (831) 656-3198

Student InvolvementsStudent InvolvementsMore than 20 MS theses completed.More than 20 MS theses completed.

NPS Spacecraft Architecture and Technology NPS Spacecraft Architecture and Technology Demonstration SatelliteDemonstration SatelliteSpace Systems Academic GroupSpace Systems Academic Group

• Space Cadre Graduate EducationSpace Cadre Graduate Education• Small Vehicles TechnologySmall Vehicles Technology• Space Power Space Power • Space WeatherSpace Weather

NPSAT1 Small Satellite Project

2UNCLASSIFIED

Objectives:Provide an inexpensive space platform based on COTS technology to

perform focused research objectives of national interest. Start with a simple on-orbit solar cell tester while focusing on the education of NPS students with the development of an NPS CubeSat program.

Background: Solar panels on existing satellites have experienced failure due to

interactions with the space environment.

Intended Applications and Intended CustomersCubeSat form factor reduces the complexity of the structure, power,

and communication portions of the satellite, it allows for an effective, responsive, and relatively inexpensive way to test solar cells on orbit. Goal is to use CubeSats for focused research of national interest.

.

NPS – Solar Cell Array Tester (NPS-SCAT)

Technology Challenges

COTS component integration (ensuring manufacturer specifications match actual performance and meet requirements)

Launch vehicle integration.

PI: James H. Newman, jhnewman@nps.edu, 831-656-2487 Professor, Space Systems Academic Group

Funding and Collaborations

Phase I and II funding provided by NRO AS&T. Phase III proposal submitted to AS&T Outreach Program. On-going collaborations with faculty at NPS and CalPoly.

Description of Research: As NPS’s first CubeSat, SCAT is intended to prove CubeSat viability as a technology test bed and research platform using an inexpensive system to measure solar cells on orbit while focusing on the education of NPS students and the development of an NPS CubeSat program.

SMS Circuit AUG 08

SMS Circuit MAR 09

SMS Circuit JUL 09

The solar cell measurement system (SMS) will calculate I-V curves (electric current of the solar cell as a function of the voltage). By comparing the data with pre-flight values, the performance of the cells in the space environment will be able to be determined. Measurements will continue throughout the lifetime of the experiment, providing the rate of degradation of the test cells.

Intended Applications and Intended Customers

Contribute to provide DOD and Government with new critical capabilities for Earth imaging, complementing the ones available.

Objectives:

1) To contribute to the education of the NPS student-officers of the Space Engineering and Space Ops curricula.

2) To design, integrate, and test on-orbit one agile nanosatellite able to take panchromatic images, at 3-to-4m GSD from 500 Km, and transmit them back to the field.

Background:

Recent developments in nanosatellites technology will soon enable significant missions which used to be exclusive realm of much larger and expensive systems.

Nanosatellites Advanced Concepts Laboratory (PI: Prof. Marcello Romano)

Technology ChallengesAchieve, for the first time on a nanosatellite, high three-axis pointing accuracy, high slewing agility, and high data rates.Keep low the cost per unit, in order to make possible the acquisition of a constellation of tenths of spacecraft.

Contact information: Prof. Marcello Romano, mromano@nps.eduProf. Jim Newman, jhnewman@nps.edu

Funding and Collaborations

Three MS theses completed. Six more ongoing.

Funding provided by NRO in FY08 and FY09. Additional funding sought.

Collaboration with Prof. Jim Newman (TINYSCOPE Co-PI).

Listed on DOD STP-SERB for launch and operation of 1st unit in 2012.

Project TINYSCOPE (Agile Nanosatellite for Earth Imaging)

A constellation of TINYSCOPE spacecraft can provide imaging of any place on Earth: -either with short revisit time;-(or even) up to persistent monitoring.

13:14 Zulu

13:27 Zulu

30 cm = ~1 ft

Objectives:High capacity launch of CubeSats utilizing single ESPA-class payload.

Hands-on education of NPS officer students; foster innovation and interest in STEM in university students in support of future aerospace workforce development.

Background: U.S. launch opportunities for CubeSats are scarce. Out of 44

CubeSats launched worldwide, only 5 successfully launched from the US.

Intended Applications and Intended CustomersNPSCuL-Lite provides CubeSat developers high capacity routine

access to space from the U.S.

Goal is to enable launch of CubeSats used for education and focused research of national interest.

NPS CubeSat Launcher (NPSCuL)

Technology ChallengesLow frequency modes and ensuring fastener integrity during vibration testing

ADAMSat and launch vehicle integration in support of launch on Aft Bulkhead Carrier (ABC) on NRO L-41 NET August 2010

PI: James H. Newman, jhnewman@nps.edu, 831-656-2487 Professor, Space Systems Academic Group

Funding and Collaborations

Funding provided by NRO AS&T (directly and from the NSF) and California Space Education Workforce Institute (CSEWI) . On-going collaborations with CalPoly, Aerospace Corp, Ecliptic Enterprises, and ULA.

Description of Research: NPSCuL-Lite evolved as a means to leverage affordable capabilities of CubeSats and excess payload capacity on U.S. EELVs to provide high capacity routine access to space for university, government and industry CubeSats from the U.S. while focusing on the education of NPS students.

2009 DoN SERB Ranking- #8 out of 24

Number of critical atoms for 250nm technology50E6 atoms (1997) (10 year life)

100nm * 5nm * 1000nm = 5E5nm3

4E6 atoms (2001) (5 year life)

65 nm feature – 500,000 atoms ( today) (3 year life) 23nm feature – 80000 atoms (2013) (1 year life), 11nm feature – 10000 atoms (2016) (0.5 year life)

Every generation

of each new IC

technology reduces

it’s operational lifetime by

50%

Size comparison (we jump every 3 years) Last Generation Next Generation

Intended Applications and Intended Customers

1) Accurate Life Prediction of components showing initial degradation on orbit (operators), 2) End-of-Life prediction tool for specific modulation/power levels (contractors), 3) Assistance to technology developers examining new IC technologies such as Carbon nanotubes, GaN RF, 22nm CMOS (S&T technologists)

Objectives:

To develop initial techniques that converts transistor’s electrical/ thermal/ radiation energy to material movement to show electrical RF or power degradation.

Background:

Many space systems fail due to electronic component failure. Prediction is done by limited life testing only. Present industry tools predict performance of “brand new” devices, not aged devices. No code exists to show gradual electrical degradation of transistors.

Electronic Component Failure Prediction Tool Development (NPS (Weatherford) & AFIT(Coutu) joint proposal)

Technology Challenges•Implementation with two present competing Industry tools (NPS/Silvaco, AFIT/Synopsis) within their framework.

•Techniques to revert between electrical/thermal modeling and process modeling tools at specified time intervals.

•Transition new findings on electronic failure mechanisms.

Contact information: Prof. T.R.Weatherford, trweathe@nps.edu

Funding and Collaborations

Related funding provided by AFRL PACE program, ONR ESO, NAVSEA. 4 pubs, 8+ thesis on reliability of RF/power device topic.

On-going collaborations with AFOSR/ONR Electronic Reliability MURIs (MIT, U-FL,UCSB, NCSU, OSU). Part of Tri-Service team (ARL/NRL/AFRL) to transition MURI findings. Code support by Silvaco, Synopsis and Univ. FL).

Modify component operation such as energy, frequency, duty cycle to buy extended

operational time.

Reverse Use of Semiconductor Industry Virtual Fabrication Tools to “Unprocess” ICs to

predict degradation and failure.

Large temperature gradients inside a GaN RF transistor to determine mass migration, then recalculate “aged” transistor for reduced performance.

Observation of reduced comm link, or system anomaly, engineers examine possible

component suspects with this tool.

Each new generation IC lifetime shrinks by a factor of 2 , failures occur sooner with next gen

Less atoms per device = shorter functional lifetime.

Multi-Source Fusion of Ship-Tracking Information

We believe successful MDA requires fusion of many disparate data sources:

NTM dataOSINT from

Shipping companiesPort authoritiesVessel-tracking

systems (USCG)HUMINTIMINTOTHER Exploitable Sources

We have built an evaluation environment for testing and developing fusion of algorithms and systems.

Description/accomplishments;• Continuing development of Fusion support environment

• Including availability of MASTER Tracks• Supported work on multi-level security• Participated in TEXAS workshops• Organized MDA session at Classified Advanced Technology

Update (CATU)

Key Participants: • NPS

• Prof. Hersch Loomis• Prof. Alan Ross• Prof. Tom Betterton• Prof. Bret Michael

Objectives;• Continue development of multi-level fusion

environment• Evaluate contributions of additional data sources

to MASTER Tracks• Radar, Acoustics

• Develop Track Model to protect sources and methods

• Support work on multi-level security

Intended Applications and Intended Customers:

Applications are in various SOCOM theaters, and utility is present for PACOM and SOUTHCOM.

Objectives:

To study the utility for LIDAR systems in foliage penetration, particularly as regards detection of trails.

Background:

LIDAR offers great promise as an airborne system, with successful testing in a variety of environments. Thesis work at NPS has shown good results in interactive analysis.

Technology Challenges:

Automated trail detection in near-real-time is needed. Modeling is needed to provide predictive capability.

Contact information: Prof. Richard C Olsen, olsen@nps.edu

Funding and Collaborations:

Funding not currently available.

Trails Detected Under Canopy

LIDAR applications to FOPEN

References:

Espinoza, F. & Owens, R. (2007) Identifying roads and trails hidden under canopy using LIDAR, Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School

Kim, A. (To be published 2009) Simulating full-waveform LIDAR, Master’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School

Objectives:

The objective of this research is to develop key technologies for large space mirrors to improve the capability of future imaging spacecraft to provide high resolution, persistent surveillance.

Background:

For an imaging spacecraft to provide truly persistent surveillance capability, the satellite should be in a higher orbit, requiring large aperture lightweight deployable mirrors, in the range of 10-20 meters in diameter. Achieving high surface accuracy of a large segmented mirror for high resolution imaging is very challenging. Key technologies for large aperture lightweight space mirrors need to be identified and developed.

Large Aperture Lightweight Space-Based Optics

Technology Challenges

• Extremely fine surface control of flexible mirrors• Vibration isolation and jitter control• Deployable mirror segment alignment• Wavefront sensing and correction• Prevention of surface control performance degradation due to

control-structure interaction • Thermal distortion correction

Contact information: Prof. Brij Agrawal, agrawal@nps.edu

Funding and Collaborations

Funding provided by NRO. NPS participated in the Segmented Mirror Demonstrator (SMD), Segmented Mirror Testbed (SMT), and Advanced Mirror Development (AMD) projects in collaboration with NRO, Lockheed Martin, ITT, and NRL.

NPS space telescope testbeds are used to develop key technologies for large aperture lightweight space-based optics such as wavefront sensing and correction, segment alignment, vibration isolation, jitter control, and multi-input multi-output adaptive optics control.

Description of ResearchFocus of the research is on surface control of a large segmented flexible mirrors including the following technology development

Without Adaptive Optics With Adaptive Optics Adaptive Optics Testbed

Adaptive Optics

16in 6 element segmented mirror testbed

Wavefront Sensing and Segment Alignment

Closed loop frequency and time response of a segmented mirror telescope using Robust

Control method with model reduction

Advanced Vibration and Surface Control

3m Segmented Mirror Telescope(Scheduled operation at NPS in Nov 2009)

Intended Applications and Intended Customers

Provide DOD and Government with new/improved capabilities for space proximity operations.

Objectives:

1) To contribute to the education of the NPS student-officers of the Space Engineering, Space Ops and Mech. Eng. curricula.

2) To invent new solutions and improve existing ones regarding both hardware and software technologies for spacecraft proximity maneuvering and operations.

Background:

In 2007, the Orbital Express mission demonstrated for the first time the autonomous docking and servicing between two US spacecraft.

The capability of conducting increasingly sophisticated autonomous proximity operations will be a critical assets for achieving/maintaining superiority in the space theater.

Spacecraft Robotics Laboratory (PI: Prof. Marcello Romano)

Technology ChallengesAchieve robust autonomous relative Guidance, Navigation and Control of an aggregate of possibly different spacecraft with realistic limitations in sensors, actuators, and on-board computers.Enable proximity operations to be conducted by nanosatellites.

Contact information: Prof. Marcello Romano, mromano@nps.edu

Funding and Collaborations

Nine Ms theses and two PhD Theses completed. Three more ongoing.

Funding provided by AFRL in FY09. Additional funding sought.

Filed a patent on a novel docking interface for small spacecraft

Guidance, navigation and control of autonomous spacecraft for proximity operations: analysis, numerical simulations and experimentation on a flat floor test-bed.

Autonomous spacecraft proximity maneuvering and operations are enabling technologies for several important missions, as:-Monitoring of Resident Space Objects;-Docking and servicing;-Multiple spacecraft assembly.

Camera

Batteries

Reaction Wheel

Docking I/F(Active portion)

IMU

Thruster (1 of 8)

Docking I/F(Passive portion)

I/R LEDs

Chaser Spacecraft Simulator

Target Spacecraft Simulator

Tank

Control PC

Vision PC

Epoxy Floor

1 mstick

Camera

Batteries

Reaction Wheel

Docking I/F(Active portion)

IMU

Thruster (1 of 8)

Docking I/F(Passive portion)

I/R LEDs

Chaser Spacecraft Simulator

Target Spacecraft Simulator

Tank

Control PC

Vision PC

Epoxy Floor

1 mstick

Credit: DARPA