Nanosatellite and Plug-and-Play Architecture 2 (NAPA 2)
Abstract
Under a second $12M program agreement (PA) between US and Sweden (PA-TRDP-US-SW-AF-13-01), AFRL and Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) developed concepts from the previous nanosatellite and plug-and-play architecture (NAPA) program (e.g. a common plug and play: technology) with four focus areas: (1) missions, (2) mission studies, (3) "i-Missions", and(4) technology development. The core "mission" activity involved development of a 6U-format Space Plug-and-play Architecture (SPA) Research Cubesat (SPARC). SPARC-1 (first and only pursued under this PA) demonstrates rapidly composable and service oriented spacecraft networks. In the mission studies focus area, the US/Sweden collaborative team explores concepts as diverse as mesh communication networks, synthetic aperture radar, combat search and rescue, blue force tracking, space situation awareness, and potentially other militarily relevant roles. The "i-Missions" focus area studies the kinetics of rapid mission development. The methodology involves interchangeable blackbox (self-describing) components, software (middleware and applications), advanced pushbutton tools supporting accelerated design flows, and elements of ground systems architecture capable of working fluidly with networks of potentially hundreds of these platforms. The technologies focus area develops miniature spacecraft components and subsystems. This program is on-going (projected complete in Spring 2020), and this interim report summarizes a snapshot, as of December 2016.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1028567
Entities
People
- James C. Lyke
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory