Nanosatellite and Plug-and-Play Architecture II (NAPA II) Update
Abstract
Under a second $12M program agreement (PA) between US and Sweden (PA-TRDP-US-SW-AF-13-01), AFRL and FMV developed concepts from the previous 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 rapidlycomposable 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. SPARC-1 launched 4 May 2019. 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 August 2019.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 12, 2019
- Accession Number
- AD1082033
Entities
People
- Christian Peters
- Craig Kief
- Don Fronterhouse
- James C. Lyke
- Matt Hannon
- Mikael Ahlsberg
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory