Space Systems
Developing Technology for Advanced Space Systems
Draper’s Space programs focus on the nation’s need for advanced
development of autonomous and highly reliable flight systems.
Draper is leveraging our world-class expertise in GN&C to address
the future needs of human space exploration, space science, and
military space applications. Future vehicles and missions will
require combinations of advanced GN&C technologies, including
high performance, high reliability, significant autonomy, and lowweight,
low-power avionics.
Human Space Exploration and Operations
Continuing Draper’s long history with the U.S. human space program,
the Laboratory supports the first goal of the exploration vision of
safe completion of the International Space Station (ISS) assembly
by 2010 through continued certification of the GN&C operations.
In addition, Draper designs are used when the Shuttle controls the
attitude of the ISS/Shuttle configuration when the Shuttle is docked
to the ISS. During the recent problems with the Russian computers
on ISS during STS-120, Draper was called on to maintain control
until the computers were brought back on line.
In addition to the Timeliner™ automated sequence execution system
that operates on the ISS, Draper developed and demonstrated a newmethod for performing large-angle spacecraft maneuvers without
using propellant by scheduling a series of commands to the ISS
Control Moment Gyro attitude controller. The ISS was maneuvered
through a preplanned trajectory, referred to as the Zero Propellant
Maneuver (ZPM). The ZPM was first demonstrated on November
5, 2006 to rotate the ISS through a 90-deg maneuver.
As part of the Project Constellation team, Draper is supporting the
development of the next generation of human exploration vehicles;
Draper is working with the NASA teams developing the Ares I
Crew Launch Vehicle, the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle, and
the autonomous precision landing system technologies necessary
for the Lunar Landing Vehicle. For the Ares I, Draper is working
with the NASA Design Team that is developing the avionics
system architecture, a fault-tolerant flight computer prototype, the
software, and the GN&C system. For Orion, Draper’s skip entry
guidance algorithms have been selected as the baseline to provide
the necessary downrange extension to support land landings for
lunar return trajectories.
Space Science
Reaching from Earth to Mars and beyond, Draper is involved in
a wide variety of technology development programs supporting
space science applications. Draper is working with local scientists
to develop advanced systems for astrophysics missions, and will be
involved with a variety of groups in the development of future Earth
science and heliophysics missions.
Draper’s Earth Phenomena Observing System (EPOS) mission
planning software became fully operational for the EO-1 spacecraft in
2006. Draper’s EPOS software autonomously accesses a list compiled
weekly by the EO-1 science team of prioritized imaging targets for
the spacecraft. EPOS also accesses cloud cover data (current and
forecast for the next 8 hours) from the Air Force Weather Agency.
EPOS evaluates the information and, if appropriate, recommendsswitching to a secondary target due to cloud cover.
Draper designed and built the Inertial Stellar Compass (ISC) payload
launched aboard the U.S. Air Force (USAF) TacSat-2 satellite.
Funded through the NASA Space Technology program, it is the first
spaceflight demonstration of a MEMS gyro in a fully integrated space
navigation instrument. Combining Draper’s MEMS gyro package
with a star camera and processor, the ISC outputs spacecraft attitude
at up to 5 Hz in a low-power (<4 W) and low-mass (<3 kg) system.
Military Space
As the Department of Defense (DoD) increases its emphasis on
developing advanced space capabilities, Draper is providing key
mission concepts and technologies. Draper is working with the DoD
on projects to mitigate threats to space-based operations through
improved space situational awareness—a method of obtaining a
comprehensive understanding of space events, threats, activities,
conditions, and space system capabilities. Draper also is expanding
its role from traditional guidance, navigation, and control to
enhanced decision-making systems for space command and control
operations centers.
Draper’s work on the USAF XSS-11 microsatellite program focused
on technology that demonstrated autonomous satellite inspection. For
XSS-11, Draper developed the onboard Rendezvous and Proximity
Operations (RPO) Planner. The planner encapsulated new guidance
algorithms for long-range satellite RPO maneuvers. Building on
Draper’s heritage in autonomy, the RPO Planner incorporated
activity decomposition and planning algorithms in a closed-loop,
hierarchical control architecture based on Draper’s All-Domain
Execution and Planning Technology (ADEPT™) methodology.
Draper delivered the mission manager for the DARPA Orbital
Express program that demonstrated on-orbit satellite servicing.
Launched into space on March 9, 2007, ASTRO conducts servicing
operations through the execution of scripts using the Timeliner™application developed by Draper. Satellite servicing demonstrations
included autonomous rendezvous and capture of another satellite,
fluid transfer (refueling) and replacement of a spacecraft components
(e.g., battery or flight computer) using a robotic arm and Orbital
Replacement Units. In addition to commanding the spacecraft, the
Mission Manager performs fault detection, reconfiguration, and
commands contingency responses to failures.
Explorations:
Spring 2007 Space Systems Initiatives
Draper's NASA Johnson Space Center Field Site
Contact
Information: busdev@draper.com
