Small Satellite Dynamics Laboratory (SSDT)

Laura JonesSwati Mohan

11/21/14

◦ Different class of ACS hardware and software Limited mass, power, processing

◦ Different dynamical regime Testbeds must be smaller/lighter

◦ Tight development schedules and small budgets Makes early hardware-in-the-loop testing necessary

SmallSats Need Unique Dyn. Testbed Capabilities

The SSDT augmentation to the FCT enables JPL dynamics testing for Small Satellites

SSDT:3 Environments

2 Payload Types

1 FCT-SSDT Shared Infrastructure

Planar Air BearingSpherical Air Bearing

3 DOF Attitude

1 DOF Attitude2 DOF Translation

6 DOF Attitude

SSDT:3 Environments

Combined

6 DOF (1 actuated)

For comparison, the FCT Robots:

Computer Simulator

Planar Air BearingSpherical Air Bearing Computer Simulator

SSDT:3 Environments

2 Payload Types

Integrated ACS Units Individual Components

Planar Air BearingSpherical Air Bearing Computer Simulator

SSDT:3 Environments

2 Payload Types

1Shared Infrastructure

Integrated ACS Units Individual Components

SSDT:3 Environments 2 Payload Types 1Shared

InfrastructureAny SSDT payload type (or customer payload) can be placed (in a number of combinations) in any of our environments for study/checkouts/V&V/characterization, all while leveraging our common infrastructure

Current Home in the FCT 2nd Floor

As-Built Testbed(Customer Brings Nothing)

Specific Actuator/Sensor + Testbed

Instrument +Testbed

Full Spacecraft + Testbed

Attitude Control Alg. HW-in-the-Loop Development

- Software functional testing in resource-constrained env..

- Software perf. evaluations

- Direct performance comparisons btwn different algorithms

Hardware Checkouts

- Phasing tests- Functional

testing of HW- Performance

testing comparisons of hw to testbed

- TRL demo for technology dev.

System-Level Performance Eval. - Demo of

complex activities (AR&D, fine pointing)

- System-Level V&V

Simulated Mission Scenarios

Using:

Different Uses of the SSDTDifferent Uses of the SSDT

SSDT Customer Interactions

• Reviews test docs

• Negotiates schedule

Generate:• Test Objectives• Test Plan • Test Procedure• Data Products List

• Staffs with FCT/SSDT support personnel

• Schedules dry run and test

Set up and Dry RunRun Test and Takedown

Follow Up Meeting

Projects

SSDT PoC

Project supports setup and dry run

SSDT PoC assists in setup, dry run, and interactions with project

Project supports test, handles project hw, assists in take down

SSDT PoC assists in test, handles testbed and FCT hw/sw, gathers data, take down

Project reviews data products, asks questions on data

SSDT PoC provides data products from FCT, reviews with project

Proximity Body Operations Precision Pointing Planetary Surface Study Astronomy Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Formation Flying Orbiting Sample Capture Smallsat landers/impactors on Phobos and

Deimos Interferometry Mission Telecom Relay

Supporting Mars Applications

Back Up

We Can Do Great Things with this Capability!

Flight Project Support

Technology Development

Proposal Writing

Capability/Infrastructure

• Develop mission-specific flight software/ algorithms with hw in the loop

• In-house ATLO phasing, functional, and performance ACS testing for SmallSat missions

• Strengthen in-house small satellite testing/ development capabilities on FCT

• Scaled demos/tests to examine complex ACS elements of larger missions

• Increase capabilities to leverage in proposals

• Perform testing and feasibility assessments that flow into small satellite proposals

• Improve estimates for the cost /duration of precision small satellite ACS

• Develop SmallSat precision pointing, AR&D, FF, and relative navigation capabilities

• Mature novel small satellite sensors, actuators, and algorithms