DARPASAT: small, smart satellite bus

Terry A. Higbee

doi:10.1117/12.156654

16 September 1993 DARPASAT: small, smart satellite bus

Terry A. Higbee

Proceedings Volume 1940, Small Satellite Technology and Applications III; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.156654
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Ball Aerospace has recently broadened its line of small satellites as part of the innovative and well-published DARPA `lightsat' initiative. This program, DARPASAT, has produced a small spacecraft bus that is highly capable, lightweight, and can provide significant services to the prospective payload. In addition, the bus is compatible with new small launch vehicles such as the Taurus and Pegasus. Of particular note, the bus-to- payload interface has been designed to maximize simplicity and modularity, all with the intention of easing the payload integration process and thus lowering the cost. As a result, the mechanical, thermal, and electrical interfaces are designed such that the payload can be integrated at the payload contractor's facility as a single entity, or `pallet.' This dramatically reduces the effort to then integrate this single pallet onto the spacecraft bus.

Citation Download Citation

Terry A. Higbee "DARPASAT: small, smart satellite bus", Proc. SPIE 1940, Small Satellite Technology and Applications III, (16 September 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.156654

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