Modular Exploration: Applying the Panel ExTension SATellite (PETSAT) Philosophy to Lunar Spacecraft Missions
- Paper number
IAC-08.B4.8.8
- Author
Mr. A.C. Charania, SpaceWorks Commercial, United States
- Coauthor
Ms. Chisato Kobayashi, Spacevoke Ltd., Japan
- Coauthor
Prof. Shinichi Nakasuka, University of Tokyo, Japan
- Year
2008
- Abstract
The Panel ExTension SATellite (PETSAT) modular design philosophy, as conceived by the University of Tokyo and Astro-Technology SOHLA (Space Oriented Higashiosaka Leading Association) in Japan, is utilized here for potential primary and piggyback missions to lunar orbit and the lunar surface. Concept designs are presented of several notional PETSAT small satellite lunar missions including orbiters and landers. These spacecraft concepts could be designed as stand-alone missions or as piggyback options attached to other lunar missions. Various transportation options (Earth-to-Orbit launch and in-space transfer) are considered for these mission concepts. The basic theory of the Panel ExTension SATellite (PETSAT) is that the satellite is made of several functional panels; panels can be replicated or panels can be specified for a dedicated function by customization, but fundamentally all panels can be connected. By connecting these panels in a “plug-and-play” fashion, the total integrated system becomes an entire spacecraft. Various combinations of functional panels provide flexibility to deal with various mission requirements, even though the basic panels are the same for various missions. The PETSAT design philosophy offers several potential benefits. Each functional panel can be produced in mass quantity so that the reliability can be improved, large learning curve effects can be obtained, and panel production could be distributed. When a certain mission is given, the most suitable satellite bus can be developed by simply connecting the appropriate panels in correct quantities in a “plug-and-play” fashion without extensive ground testing. This semi-customization characteristic is expected to reduce development time, leveraging the standardization of satellite “parts”, ultimately leading to lower life cycle cost. For lunar applications, the PETSAT philosophy would allow for missions that could be scaled up or down depending upon primary or secondary payload status, allow for increased redundancy, and allow for multiple uses for subsystems (i.e. solar arrays for the in-space transportation spacecraft are actually orbiter or lander panels). Currently in development, SOHLA-2 (a 50 kg microsatellite) will be a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) demonstration of the PETSAT concept. The PETSAT concept is thought to be a unique approach to lunar exploration by leveraging the power of spacecraft modularization.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
(absent)