A Systems Engineering Study of Gossamer Optical Satellites

Abstract

This paper describes a systems engineering modeling effort for very large, Gossamer, space optical systems. The focus of this effort was to determine the effect proposed Gossamer technology has on top-level performance parameters and total systems weight and power. For each technology chosen, system performance was evaluated using "first principals" approaches and then de-convolved into its specific hardware items. These specific hardware items and their performance, once identified, were flowed up into a single payload weight estimate. The payload weight was then combined with mission and spacecraft performance variables to create a single satellite system weight estimate. Finally, sensitivity of payload performance parameters within the payload weight estimate was performed in an attempt to understand the importance of the assumed technology performance.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2002
Accession Number
ADA409966

Entities

People

  • Lawrence M. Robertson

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Actuators
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Composite Materials
  • Control Systems
  • Electron Guns
  • Engineering
  • Equations
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Materials
  • Payload
  • Sensitivity
  • Spacecraft
  • Spacecraft Components
  • Systems Engineering

Fields of Study

  • Computer science
  • Engineering

Readers

  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Regression Analysis.
  • Robotics and Automation.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Satellites