Tech Track Papers
Tech Track Papers Archive
Microsatellites have been carried to space as secondary payloads aboard larger launchers for many years. However, the secondary payload method does not offer the specificity required for modern day demands such as increasingly sophisticated small satellites that have unique orbital and launch-time requirements. Furthermore, to remain competitive the launch cost must be as low as…
Read MoreFor a number of years small satellites have been seen as a way to provide low cost solutions for technical demonstrations. Only recently have they been viewed as mission-ready for government and IC programs. While the commercial world has been quicker to adopt these new platforms, government and IC programs have been slower to do…
Read MoreWith the emergence of small satellites and satellite constellations, there have been drastic changes in the overall methodology of satellite operation. Previously, satellite operators tended to operate 1 to 5 satellites using 1 to 3 ground stations. In this newly emerging paradigm, satellite operators will be operating tens to hundreds of satellites using tens of…
Read MoreSpacecraft are normally designed to survive the numerous natural hazards inherent to spaceflight. Rarely does this process expand to cover defense against human threats. This paper presents a survivability assessment of a generic small satellite constellation and recommends design changes and tactics that will optimize defense while maximizing the preservation of capability. Traditional satellites possess…
Read MoreJoin us for an overview of best practices in Mission Assurance & Risk Mitigation to meet the challenges of today’s space leaders. Gain an understanding of how to meet stringent compliance and launch requirements for the Aviation, Space & Defense Industry, and deliver higher quality products through the use of a fully integrated Quality Management…
Read MoreAs ever larger and complex optical imaging systems are envisioned, it will become increasingly difficult to perform full-aperture verification of the optical system in the flight configuration as required for the typical “test as you fly” approach. Full aperture testing is challenging due to both the cost and technical feasibility. As segmented apertures grow larger,…
Read MoreThe growing frequency of launches and re-entries of space vehicles has increased impact on other users of the National Airspace. Because these activities have a relatively high probability of failure, the FAA closes airspace proactively to mitigate the potential impact of debris resulting from a breakup event. The FAA Office of NextGen and Office of…
Read MoreAn integrated Space and Air Traffic Management System (SATMS) is one of the key initiatives of the FAA. This goal to achieve an aerospace environment in which space and aviation operations are seamless and integrated in a modernized, efficient National Airspace System (NAS) is a cumbersome and sizeable task; it requires full cooperation from airspace…
Read MoreSpace Situational Awareness (SSA) is vital to maintaining our Space Superiority. We present an innovative, high fidelity, time-based simulation tool, PROXOR™ (Proximity Operations and Rendering), which supports SSA by generating realistic mission scenarios including sensor frame data with corresponding truth. This is a unique and critical tool for supporting mission architecture studies, new capability (algorithm)…
Read MoreThe discovery of a cost‐effective and viable approach to the removal of dangerous low earth-orbiting (LEO) debris has led to several new and related concepts for significantly and permanently improving and protecting the near‐Earth environment, enhancing space situational awareness capabilities, protecting commercial and government constellations and increasing the resiliency of space‐based national security assets. This…
Read More