By 
December 10th, 2014
SHERPA, a hosted payload and in-space transportation platform.
Credit: Spaceflight Inc.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is pushing forward on its agenda to enable robotic servicing of spacecraft.
That work is being done under the Phoenix initiative – and one of its goals is to validate new satellite assembly architectures.
Never accused of skimping on innovation, DARPA is delving into “Satlets” – new low-cost, modular satellite architecture that can scale almost infinitely.
Independent modules
Satlets are small independent modules that weigh roughly 15 pounds (7 kilograms) that incorporate essential satellite innards, like power supplies, movement controls, sensors, etc.
Satlets share data, power and thermal management capabilities.
Satlets also physically aggregate (attach together) in different combinations that would provide capabilities to accomplish a range of diverse space missions with any type, size or shape payload.
Because they are modular, they can be produced on an assembly line at low cost and integrated very quickly with different payloads.
DARPA is keen on validating the technical concept of satlets in low Earth orbit.
“Satlets” – new low-cost, modular satellite architecture that can scale almost infinitely.
Credit: DARPA
In-space transportation platform
Seattle-based Spaceflight Inc., has announced its role in the concept of the new architecture based on the firm’s SHERPA, a hosted payload and in-space transportation platform.
On Dec. 9 the company announced it has signed NovaWurks, Inc., to a launch services agreement for the eXCITe spacecraft.
NovaWurks, located in Los Alamitos, California, is developing eXCITe as part of the DARPA Phoenix program. Earlier this year, DARPA awarded prime contracts for follow-on phase work on the Phoenix effort to NovaWurks and 7 other companies.
The eXCITe spacecraft would ride to low Earth orbit on Spaceflight’s SHERPA in-space transportation platform – scheduled for launch along with roughly 2,645 pounds (1,200 kilograms) of other small satellite rideshare customers in the third quarter of 2015.
eXCITe uses NovaWurks’ Hyper-Integrated Satlet, or HISat™ platform that can be configured as a Conformal Spacecraft™.
Trailblazing time
Curt Blake, President of Spaceflight, said in a press statement: “DARPA’s Phoenix program is a near perfect fit with SHERPA’s capabilities, which will open up additional access to space on commercial launch vehicles, as well as acting as an enabler for future missions to unique orbits.”
Blake added that the partnership with NovaWurks spotlights the exciting and cutting-edge trailblazing time today for “new business models and concepts in the satellite industry.”
For more information on this emerging work, go to these resources:
— DARPA’s Phoenix program at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeKzdk0sWjI
— Spaceflight Inc., at:
http://spaceflightservices.com/
— NovaWurks’ HISat and Conformal Spacecraft technology at:
Posted in Space News
