Jens Eickhoff - A Combined Data and Power Management Infrastructure: For Small Satellites

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The continuous demand for cheaper satellites, developed within shorter timeframes than ever before, requires spacecraft engineers to come up with innovative solutions. The integration of test models and satellite functions embedded in an integrated hardware are examples of such innovations. A functional merge of the satellites onboard computer and power control and distribution unit is a logical step toward smaller solutions that still comply with stringent performance requirements, and became the baseline to the University of Stuttgarts Flying Laptop mission.

ESAs ClearSpace-1 project is the first mission of the Active Debris Removal and In-Orbit Servicing (ADRIOS) program. Under development by the Swiss prime contractor ClearSpace SA, it is in similar need for lower cost innovative solutions, and the Combined Data and Power Management Infrastructure is therefore an obvious choice to fulfil not only the stringent cost and size requirements of this mission but also the complex performance requirements when operating in close proximity of a non-functional target to be captured and cleaned up. Moreover, the development time is short, with the mission requirement to clean up the target by the end of 2025. Apart from removing a space debris object from space, several technology demonstrations are to be performed and are paving the way for future debris removal and commercial in-orbit servicing missions.

There are many Firsts in this mission. In particular, the capture of a non-cooperating non-functional object has never been done. Yet, this satellite is to remain compact enough to be able to share a launch with other payloads, keeping the cost to a minimum. As such, I am pleased to introduce the reader to this fascinating mission as part of the examples in this book.

As a system analyst and researcher at INPE, having taught postgraduate courses in Brazil, like the editor, I have always been an enthusiast of the best compatibility between Industry and academia.

This book presents an infrastructure combining data and power based on a modular architecture for OBC. Opening up opportunities for new applications not only to date but also for future satellite generations of space missions, it takes advantage of the progress toward Space 4.0.

Traditionally, onboard computers deal with scarce resources (memory, processor speed, and channels) limiting the huge possibilities of software. The elegant OBC architecture presented here comprises a set of boards with specific functions: (i) processing (CPU-Board), (ii) communications (SpaceWire router, I/O and CCSDS low-level protocol), (iii) mass memory units, and (iv) power control and distributionshedding light to more elaborated applications for spacecraft.