ALTAIR Millennium s DARPA SeeMe Commercial Satellite Solution Technical (R)evolution [SSC14-III-2} Presentation to: 2014 AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites Mike Scardera Director of Engineering mike.scardera@millennium-space.com Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government. Distribution Statement A - (Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited))
About Millennium Space Systems Founded in November 2001, Millennium Space Systems is a privately held, employee owned small company - a full-service spacecraft provider of alternative and relevant space systems solutions (systems, hardware, software, operations) The company s portfolio includes flight systems design, development & operations for the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, NASA and commercial space Millennium is a performer on several national defense projects, most recently demonstrated by our AQUILA M1 Spacecraft, launched in February 2011; AQUILA M1 continues to operate at over 99% availability on orbit. The Company is based in Southern California, with collocated Engineering, Space Manufacturing facilities and Mission Operations Center, just 5 minutes from LAX
Millennium s Proposed SeeMe Operational Concept Met DARPA s Key Program Objectives Satellite Autonomously initializes upon LV Separation GPS Cal Star Single Satellite Operation Multiple Satellite Operation Satellite Ephemeris from GPS & Sensor Calibrated DEPLOYMENT Autonomous Constellation Integration OPERATIONS ALASA Dedicated Single or Rideshare Launch Pack & Ship Ground Monitor & Updates as Needed Update Design 3-D Print Structure Assemble Satellites Single Person C2 Soldier Makes Request & Receives Service
ALTAIR : A high performance, very low cost small satellite to enable new constellations and capabilities Millennium Developed, Low-Cost Star Tracker COTS camera and lens 10 degree FOV, precision location Nominally leverages gross magnetometer attitude measurements Provides: < 10 Arcsec Pointing Precision Software Defined Spacecraft Reduces design cost Enables non-continuous production Complete low-cost system solution including spacecraft, payload, and ground segment Provides: Rapid Modifications Accommodates Different Payloads and/or Components Low-cost, High-performance GNC Suite offered by no other small spacecraft providers Effectively zero settling time Low Jitter Natural Frame attitude reference tracking for superior image registration and clarity CMG configuration provides extreme agility for rapid acquisition and tracking Discontinuous Production Fast prototype design and development 3D printing integrated multipurpose structure COTS & easily manufactured components Robotic assembly line capable Provides: $500K Price Point Regardless of Quantity Provides: Highly Agile Precision Pointing Platform at Very Low Cost to Support Many Different Payload and Mission needs Software Defined Data and Communication Architecture Compact Software Defined Radio programmed to different frequencies, waveforms, and data rates based on mission Straightforward warfighter-oriented user experience integrates directly into existing individual soldier-level equipment Supports Tactical Communications Provides: Wide Frequency range for Uplink, Downlink, & Crosslink Ground and Vehicle software is developed using graphical and model based programming Supports Fast Prototype Development Enables Significant Spacecraft Autonomy Supports High Level Processors Provides: 1 Person Command & Control 27 U 3D Printed Bus Structure Payload bolting interfaces are customizable Robust and compact design for commercial transportation and small launch vehicle compatibility Standoffs integrated into the printed structure Provides: Spacecraft Malleable to Payload and Mission needs
SeeMe Innovation Highlights Balloon Testing Systems & CONOPS Value: Performance for Price Point Other Innovations: COTS Avionics Low Cost Precision Pointing Low Cost CMG Software Defined Radio Autonomous Operations Production Capability & Schedule Low Cost Imagery Sensors 3-D Printed Structure Low Cost Star Tracker Enhanced Momentum Management Singularity Free CMG Control 10 5 0-5 -10 minimax 13 /sec Traditional Unloading Modified Unloading 20 10 0-10 -20-20 -10 0 10 20
Production Possibilities Computer Defined Satellite Vision Design Produce Deploy Launch Operate Use Software Driven Solar Panel Assembly Bottom Plate Assembly Top Plate Assembly Final Assembly Art-to-Part Vision 90 Day production timelines Engineered to accommodate different payloads, CONOPS, and/or components Multi-orbit for LEO, VLEO, MEO, HEO, GEO, Deep Space Robotic assembly for large quantities
ALTAIR Small Spacecraft Bus Ultra Low Cost, High Performance Payload Platform Specifications 20 kg, 36 x 36 x 37 cm Payload: Up to 55 Kg 90 Watts OAP (expandable) Design Life: Up to 2 years Pointing Knowledge <10 arcsec Overview 3D Printed Structure 4x CMGs, 2x star trackers, 1x IMU, 1x GPS, 3x Torque Coils, 1x Software Defined Radio Baseline Optical Payload NIIRS 5 at 300 km orbit 25 Kg, 30 Watts OAP