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Using Existing NASA Satellites as Orbiting Testbeds to Accelerate Technology Infusion into Future MissionsOne of the shared problems for new space mission developers is that it is extremely difficult to infuse new technology into new missions unless that technology has been flight validated. Therefore, the issue is that new technology is required to fly on a successful mission for flight validation. We have been experimenting with new technology on existing satellites by retrofitting primarily the flight software while the missions are on-orbit to experiment with new operations concepts. Experiments have been using Earth Observing 1 (EO-1), which is part of the New Millennium Program at NASA. EO-1 finished its prime mission one year after its launch on November 21,2000. From November 21,2001 until the present, EO-1 has been used in parallel with additional science data gathering to test out various sensor web concepts. Similarly, the Cosmic Hot Interstellar Plasma Spectrometer (CHIPS) satellite was also a one year mission flown by the University of Berkeley, sponsored by NASA and whose prime mission ended August 30,2005. Presently, CHIPS is being used to experiment with a seamless space to ground interface by installing Core Flight System (cFS), a "plug-and-play" architecture developed by the Flight Software Branch at NASA/GSFC on top of the existing space-to-ground Internet Protocol (IP) interface that CHIPS implemented. For example, one targeted experiment is to connect CHIPS to a rover via this interface and the Internet, and trigger autonomous actions on CHIPS, the rover or both. Thus far, having satellites to experiment with new concepts has turned out to be an inexpensive way to infuse new technology for future missions. Relevant experiences thus far and future plans will be discussed in this presentation.
Document ID
20060022609
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Abstract
Authors
Mandl, Daniel
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Ly, Vuong
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Frye, Stuart
(Mitre Corp. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 23, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2006
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2006 Ground Systems Architectures Workshhop
Location: Manhattan, Beach, CA.
Country: United States
Start Date: March 27, 2006
End Date: March 30, 2006
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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