Modular, Miniature, Reconfigurable Spacecraft Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem with Standard Interfaces

The lack of interface standards for information exchange amongspacecraft subsystems/avionics together with non-standardized,mission-unique GN&C architectures have resulted in high cost spacecraftsystems with long integration and test times and increased flightoperational complexity. Industry is in need of a solution to minimizecost, shorten development schedule and simplify design. Microcosm andSwales Aerospace propose to develop an innovative spacecraft GN&Carchitecture and integration technology that enable the spacecraftcommunity to architect a common or universal framework allowing plug andplay (interchangeability) of GN&C components to be accomplished in aunified manner. The universal framework facilitates softwarecommonality and flight code reusability, thereby allowing effective costminimization. Component interchangeability in a unified mannerfacilitates universal integration and interoperability between GN&Ccomponents at both software and hardware levels, thereby providing amore robust integration environment subject to future system evolution.The Phase I effort will focus on the following items: 1) development ofinterface standards between the flight data bus and GN&C peripherals; 2)definition of common software modules and/or architectures that supportthe plug-and-play capability; and 3) identification of relevantcommercial off-the-shelf technologies that support the implementation ofthe proposed concept in Phases II and III.The commercial application of the proposed system is for spacecraft thatcould make use of a low-cost,modular ACS system with standardized interfaces and easilyinterchangeable components, to reduce thenon-recurring costs involved with a brand new ACS system developmenteffort. The GN&C interfacestandards may also be extendable to other vehicles such as missiles,aircraft, or automobiles. Reuse of GN&Cflight code is another potential commercial application for this system.