Guidance, Navigation, and Control System for Maneuverable Pico-Satellites
Award Information
Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Branch: N/A
Contract: NNX09CF67P
Agency Tracking Number: 080095
Amount:
$99,734.00
Phase:
Phase I
Program:
STTR
Awards Year:
2009
Solicitation Year:
2008
Solicitation Topic Code:
T6.01
Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
4104 Aqua Verde Dr., Austin, TX, 78746-1017
DUNS:
828234745
HUBZone Owned:
N
Woman Owned:
N
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged:
N
Principal Investigator
Name: E. Glenn Lightsey
Title: Principal Investigator
Phone: (512) 663-3069
Email: lightsey@austin.rr.com
Title: Principal Investigator
Phone: (512) 663-3069
Email: lightsey@austin.rr.com
Business Contact
Name: E. Glenn Lightsey
Title: Business Official
Phone: (512) 663-3069
Email: lightsey@austin.rr.com
Title: Business Official
Phone: (512) 663-3069
Email: lightsey@austin.rr.com
Research Institution
Name: The University of Texas at Austin
Contact: Not Available
Address: Office of Sponsored Projects, P.O. Box 7726
Austin, TX, 78713
Phone: (512) 471-1422
Type: Domestic nonprofit research organization
Contact: Not Available
Address: Office of Sponsored Projects, P.O. Box 7726
Austin, TX, 78713
Phone: (512) 471-1422
Type: Domestic nonprofit research organization
Abstract
A compact, low-power GN&C system is essential to the success of pico-satellite Automated Rendezvous and Docking (AR&D). Austin Satellite Design (ASD) proposes to deliver a working design of an integrated six-degree-of-freedom (DOF) Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) system for pico-satellites at the conclusion of Phase 1 of this STTR.
A six DOF translation and rotation determination and control system will be designed for a pico-satellite form-factor to generate the onboard guidance and control necessary to demonstrate autonomous control stability and perform simple proximity maneuvers. An existing NASA/JSC GPS receiver will be utilized for navigation. Added sensors, such as a magnetometer, will be combined with GPS signals for attitude determination. A thruster actuator concept will be identified and a design produced that satisfies anticipated operational requirements and that fits within the mass and power constraints of the pico-satellite mission. Flight hardware will not be procured until Phase 2; however, component characteristics will be documented and modeled during Phase 1 and GN&C algorithms will be written to include them. Software that can be deployed to embedded systems will be written and validated in simulation. At the conclusion of Phase 1, simulated GN&C will be demonstrated within a pico-satellite form factor using embedded software such that a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 3 or 4 is achieved. * Information listed above is at the time of submission. *