CICERO Featured at the National Space Symposium
The gargantuan annual National Space Symposium was held in Colorado Springs, April 8-11. LASP and the University of Colorado’s Aerospace Engineering program were on full display with an impressive booth featuring, among many other things, a 1/2-scale model of the CICERO spacecraft under development there. The two pictures here show LASP’s Director of Technical Divisions, Dr. Tom Woods, at the booth with the CICERO model hovering above, and a closer view of the spacecraft model, now on display in the main entrance at LASP.
CICERO 1/2 Scale SLA Model in Assembly
To clarify what you’re looking at, a sketch of the CICERO spacecraft design from last December’s critical design review is shown below. Note: “POD” stands for “precise orbit determination.”
CICERO Spacecraft Detail
Program Management:
- Expanded launch vehicle trade space with two new options matching CICERO requirements. Requests for quotes pending.
- Finalized student team summer appointments.
- Completed requirement linkage from level 1 to level 2.
Student Assembling CICERO 1/2 Scale Model
Structure:
- Completed detailed system engineering report documenting launch vibe analysis.
- Continued design and test planning for Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) Diode.
- Began detailed drawings and mechanical specifications for solar array components.
- Completed draft report on avionics box structure analysis.
- Designed and fabricated 1/2-scale model of CICERO spacecraft (photo, next page).
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
- Continued failure mode analysis to identify simulations needed to characterize.
- Programmed reference frame conversion algorithms.
- Continued building autonomy into ADCS software.
- Verified new process used to improve mag torque bar (MTB) performance.
- Verified MTB produces correct magnetic dipole moments as commanded.
- Made improvements to simulation software.
- Completed new analysis of CSS estimation routines using two methods.
- Documented state estimator equations.
- Implemented thrust direction switching.
- Roll angle added to thrusting state.
- Working on handling component failure in flight software.
Astro- und Feinwerktechnik Site Visit
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Completed FCC and ITU application documents.
- Identified legal and technical partners for reviewing the FCC and ITU applications.
- Started schematic and parts layouts for the X-Band to S-Band downconverter.
- Began simulations of X-Band to S-Band downconversion filters.
Student Testing Modified CSS Board
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Completed build and initial test of C&DH com at 115.k.
- Finished revision of the flight battery test plan and top level schematic.
- Completed build of second Coarse Sun Sensor board.
- Changed coarse sun senor board interface to have differential signals; building up a second Coarse Sun Sensor board to test (pictures following).
EPS & CSS Boards in Testing
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
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- Designed command interface to uplink receiver.
- Added command frame buffer.
- Modified telemetry interface (interface to downlink transmitter).
- Revised memory mapping and updated interrupt assignments.
- Finalized requirements for telemetry frame traffic flow and buffer.
- Completed first four chapters of FPGA design specification.
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Flight Software:
- Completed definition of HW/SW interfaces.
- Completed definition of data Packetization Concept.
- Executed current FSW Build on CICERO Development Board in Operational Mode.
- Continued to support Diagnostic Software Development Board check-out.
- Progressed on multiple fronts with Magnetometer Software.
For years we’ve seen the political and programmatic landscape shift steadily in favor of commercial purchase of satellite environmental data by governments around the world, as we’ve known it would since our founding. Lately that trend has been accelerating. The increasingly critical weather “data gap,” which will reach full cry within two years, has gained the attention of the multitude, along with a good deal of press. Congress and the White House are now zeroing in on GNSS RO as a leading near-term solution, as evidenced in recent public hearings and a few private inquiries from the Hill. Several key forces within NOAA that have stood to the side in the past have recently embraced RO as their best opportunity for both preservation of current capabilities and even some near term improvements. They are preparing to advocate aggressively for RO as the solution of choice, both to NOAA top management and to key congressional committees, in the next two weeks. We continue to monitor these efforts closely.
This trend to commercializing satellite weather data has been noticed across the industry. Perhaps the most incisive commentary was given in a recent internal trade article entitled “Weather: The winds of change are coming,” by Ian Fichtenbaum of Near Earth LLC, a leading satellite industry investment and advisory service in New York. Mr. Fichtenbaum notes that recent developments with GeoMetWatch (see last month’s report) presage a fundamental transition, a reprise of a familiar government to- private evolution we’ve seen play out previously in satellite telecommunications and imaging (to say nothing of computing, aviation, and numerous other arenas first seeded by government needs). He concludes, “It is time for NOAA to stop dragging its feet on commercialization and help unleash the creative talents of a free market to bring these new more accurate weather technologies to the end users – basically everyone. What American taxpayers do not need is more delayed, drastically over budget programs…. We need commercialization supported by a robust public – private partnership.” The pressures on NOAA are rising on all sides and they appear to be responding to the message.
Program Management and Systems:
Structure:
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Developed system design for X- to S-Band RF downconverter.
- Finished as much as possible of the FCC database info for licensing.
- Acquired and began learning electromagnetic simulation tools for the down converter design and for antenna design.
- Completed schematic design of the X-Band radio power filter board and created most of the parts for layout of the board.
Coarse Sun Sensor Prototype Board in Test
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Provided finer resolution gain coefficients to battery charge control algorithm.
- Completed initial revisions of the flight battery test plan, charging failure mode analysis, and grounding diagram.
- Incorporated the load requirements into the energy balance spreadsheet.
- Began building a second Coarse Sun Sensor board for test (photo).
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
Coarse Sun Sensor Prototype Electronics
- Added interface controllers for the magnetometer, rate gyro, and star tracker.
- Added logic and push-button input for time tick testing.
- Added transmission of “fill” packets when needed.
- Added time ticks for rate gyro, star tracker.
- Added interface controller parity types (even, odd, none).
GNSS Instrument:
- Systems/GNSS teams are working on logistical plans for the outdoor instrument testing.
- Received antenna pattern test results for two navigation antennas.
- Began re-analyzing the attitude pointing and knowledge requirements driven by the requirements on phase errors.
- Developing logistical plans for the outdoor instrument testing.
Flight Software:
- Started formal CICERO Flight Software build.
- Continued to refine command and data packetization.
- Started formal Flight Software development build.
- Added numerous subsystem initialization routines.
- Executed development build on CICERO board.
- Released software prototype to the Magnetometer team.
In other news, GeoMetWatch, a commercial weather data company seeking to provide hyperspectral sounding from geo-synchronous orbit, announced a successful next step in their business development. In an agreement with AsiaSat, a geo-synchronous communications satellite services company, GeoMetWatch will place a sensor on AsiaSat 6, due for launch in 2016. This is a significant step in advancing commercial satellite weather data interests across the board. GeoMetWatch occupies an entirely different data sector than we and is thus not competitive to GeoOptics. This only helps establish the new commercial data paradigm.
We continue to engage the US Congress, the White House, and federal agencies to advance the prospects of commercial weather data acquisition by the US government. GeoOptics is working to make sure our voice, and the voices of all potential spacebased commercial data providers, are loudly heard. Admiral Lautenbacher, with his unique and extensive high-level connections both in the US and worldwide has been notably effective in conveying our message to key decision-makers. We are most fortunate to have the Admiral commanding our venture.
CICERO Team
Program Management and Systems:
- LASP hosted a technical interchange meeting between GeoOptics, LASP and KSat. The technical solution for the ground system presented by KSat meets all program needs, and no significant issues were identified.
- External spacecraft electrical and data interface details are resolved, improving flexibility with anticipated launch vehicle constraints and enhanced testing capabilities through the ground support equipment.
Structure:
- Completed evaluation and incorporation of most pre-CDR action items.
- Primary Structure:
- Continued bolted joint analysis, including force-limited random launch vibe.
- Continued FEA analysis of iso-grid panel with various point-masses
- Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) in Assembly
Coarse Sun Sensor Diode Bonding
and mass simulators.
- Started predictions of loads at component mounting locations.
Completed CSS Assembly
- Structures support for the Attitude Determination and Control System:
- Completed characterization testing of the prototype CSS in the heliostat and test data evaluation.
- Continued production of flight/engineeringmodel TAM piece-parts
- Solar Panels:
- Completed detailed analysis of strain in the cells due to launch deformation in the solar panels. Continued detailed design of the solararray flex-cables.
Thermal:
- Updated thermal model to incorporate current design of shunted and switched string optical properties,and shunt resistor power profiles.
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
- Implemented and tested on board S/C propagator and start tracker rate estimator.
- Further refined ADCS software and hardware interface software.
- Beginning FMEA analysis for ADCS system to determinewhat failures to explore in simulation.
- Verified second MTB prototype magnetic dipole moment strength with proven magnetometer.
- Wrote procedure and conducted EM test for course sun sensors in the LASP Heliostat.
- Processed data from test and got first diode characterization curves (see photos).
Coarse Sun Sensor Heliostat Testing
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Found ground station GSE from RT Logic at 1/4 the cost of previously identified GSE from a different manufacturer.
- Spoke with officials from the FCC International Bureau and the Office of Engineering & Technology.
- It is likely that we qualify for an experimental license with two pathfinder satellites (hundreds of dollars cost, rather than on the order of a $million over a 5-year period of launch and operation).
- Received assistance filling out the notice we need to send to the International Telecommunications Union notifying them of our intent to use spectrum.
- Contacted ManSat- an Isle of Man company offering spectrum licensing at a potentially reduced cost.
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Started to develop a spacecraft level grounding diagram to aid in distribution board and harness development.
- Developed a plan for choosing commercial MOSFETs instead of space qualified parts. Potential savings= $20k to $30k per EPS PWBA.
- Completed schematics of the solar panel wiring for the new 20 switched and 10 shunted string configuration.
- Finished GSE to allow CSS testing in the Heliostat Lab without the EPS board.
- Analyzed magnetic fields produced by the solar arrays and determined they are more than a factor of ten below magnetometerrequirements.
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
C&DH Prototype Board in Test
- Logic Chip (FPGA)
- Modifed parameters to reflect new packet size of 1024 bytes, added “last operation” logic, remapped chip selects for larger SRAM,remapped packet buffer for larger SDRAM, added board ID input (6 bits) and UMBI enable input (1 bit), remapped system registers, in process of modifiying TMR protection of reset generator.
- Electronics Board
- Loaded FPGA version a.09 into S/N 01.
- In process of running system register tests.
GNSS Instrument:
- Closed out all the remaining CDPR action items that we can given the instrument uncertainty.
- Defined LASP GNSS requirements (the instrument, spacecraft systems, and delivery of data) and GeoOptics ground processing requirements to convert the data we collect into science products.
Flight Software:
- Completed work with CnDH to define HW/SW interfaces including the transmitter and SDRAM and memory configuration.
- Worked with System Engineers to baseline System Reset Tree, POR Defaults and Power Switches, System Solar Array Deployment and Startup Sequences, Fault Detection and Correction for CnDH, COMM, EPS and ADCS, C&DH Modes, EPS and ADCS States.
- Completed work with CnDH, ADCS, RF and Systems to define FlatSat interfaces.
- Continued development of CICERO FSW and supported development board turn on with diagnostic software.
After the successful Critical Design Review (CDR) held in December, the LASP CICERO spacecraft development team is hard at work, proceeding with flight development, including comprehensive testing of the EPS & C&DH boards, the engineering model Three Axis Magnetometer (TAM), and the engineering model Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS). In addition to testing hardware, the team is working diligently to close out action items that emerged from the CDR. Included below is a status of the CICERO subsystems, complete with pictures of current hardware.
Structure:
- Primary Structure:
TAM Printed Circuit Board
- Continued bolted joint analysis, including force-limited random launch vibe.
- Incorporated mods based on latest analysis into the primary structure design.
- Structures support for the Attitude Determination and Control System:
- Completed testing of second prototype Three Axis Magnetometer (TAM).
- Completed detailed drawings for the flight TAM sensors and housing.
- Began build of flight sensors and housing for the TAM engineering model.
- Solar Panels:
- Continued detailed analysis of strain in solar cells due to launch deformation in the panels.
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
- Finalized sun-pointing estimation filter.
- Characterized sun pointing response & performed sensitivityanalysis under magnetic-only attitude control.
- Implemented an alternate magnetic control procedure for testing and comparison.
- Began writing command and telemetry retrieval software for actuators and sensors.
- Fault detection and error correction software written for sensors and actuators.
- Incorporated sensor and actuator simulators into simulation software.
- Set up original magnetometer prototype for use in MTB testing in order to obtain the generated magnetic dipole moment.
- Built a second MTB prototype, more flight-like than the first.
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Wrote technical specifications for spacecraft comm antennas and ground stations.
- Communicated with FCC on our eligibility for an experimental vs. commercial license for data downlink.
- Nearly completed Schedule 43 narrative for FCC license application.
- Began filling out the Schedule S database for the FCC using their software package.
- Proposed RF safing for range requirements using an arming plug to physically enable or disable power supply to the X-Band transmitter.
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Simulations have now been run successfully for all existing control firmware.
- Connected battery (10 Amp-hours) and a simplified solar array simulator to the EPS board. All shunting and charging functions tested.
- To reduce temperature swings, the shunt board was moved from the solar panel to the side of the spacecraft.
C&DH Prototype Board in Test
- Developed new software to model and compare various shunted vs. switched arrangements of solar cell strings.
- The Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS) was tested with the EPS board.
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
- Logic Chip (FPGA)
- Updated memory interface module to correct “bus ready” anomaly.
- Added ability to remap order of memory chips.
- Removed test mode and direct host access to memory chips.
- Electronics Board
- Loaded FPGA version a.07 into board serial numbers 01 and 02.
- Currently testing memory access in lab using latest software version.
GNSS Instrument:
CICERO Software Testing
- 17 CDR action items have been closed, 20 are in progress, 19 are awaitingaction.
- Produced an updated Level 3 instrument requirements document.
- Began updating Level 1 requirements so they are verifiable by LASP deliverables.
- New requirements developed in three areas: Science Measurement Traceability Analysis, Occultation View Angle Analysis, and Doppler Error Analysis.
Flight Software:
- Finalized Level 3 baseline requirements.
- Completed definition of C&DH hardware and software interfaces.
- Completed definition of C&DH, ADCS, RF, and systems interfaces.
- Extended diagnostic software to support development board turn-on.
- Now executing code out of boot flash memory and operational code RAM.
On December 7, the LASP CICERO spacecraft development team held the Critical Design Review (CDR), a review of the detailed flight design after all all architecture and parts decisions have been made, and extensive computer analyses and simulations have been conducted to confirm that the spacecraft will survive launch and function properly on orbit, within thermal and dynamic limits. Prior to the formal CDR, the LASP engineering team spent two weeks undergoing Critical Design Peer Reviews, attended by other non-CICERO LASP and other outside experts to ensure that no stone has gone unturned in the spacecraft design. GeoOptics attendees included Tom Yunck (CTO), Conrad Lautenbacher (CEO), Russ Packer (CFO), Anna Tavormina (CTOO), Jon Kirchner (GO financial consultant), and Doug Olsen (of the University of North Dakota). The figure below shows the current high-level development schedule taken from the CDR presentation, assuming full funding and availability of a timely launch option. (Because the Pathfinder will launch as a secondary payload on another primary launch, we are subject to potential schedule changes not of our own making.)
The presentations were extraordinary for their depth, clarity, and professionalism. Particularly impressive was the depth and detail of the computer models and formal analyses conducted, and the thought that has gone into planning and providing for every likely contingency in the life of the mission. We are thrilled to have the caliber of team provided by LASP developing our spacecraft! The following images show the CICERO spacecraft with solar panels deployed, in a stowed configuration and the innards of the spacecraft.
All subsystems outlined in previous posts continued along the scheduled development path. Since pictures are worth 1,000 words (see above S/C design renderings), there will be no elaboration of each subsystem progress in this post. However, of notable mention- three (3) C&DH prototype boards were fully assembled in December, and have been powered up and loaded with FPGA code. Comprehensive testing on these boards will continue in the coming months. Also, the number of requirements generated by the LASP CICERO team is impressive . . . 109 Mission and System requirements, 407 General Design Requirements, and 422 specifications for the nine subsystems – 938 requirements and specifications in all.
LASP’s 30-person CICERO spacecraft development team is still hard at work. Below is a brief summary of November’s accomplishments, complete with some hardware pictures.
Prototype Three Axis Magnetometer (TAM) in Test
Structure:
- Developed computer models for modal, random vibe and quasi-static analysis, and completed initial analysis runs with all three models.
- Avionics Box: Completed preliminary mechanical design of components including mechanical structure, EPS board, C&DH board and Backplane board.
- Magnetometer: Completed next generation sensor design; sensor parts now in test.
- Solar Panels: Completed computer analysis of stowed panels to define warped/preloaded shape needed to resist “gapping” during maximum launch vibe.
- Propulsion: Updated propulsion subsystem design for mass reduction.
Thermal:
Prototype Magnetic Torque Bar in Test
- Battery thermal isolation has been implemented into design.
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
- Continued physical testing of magnetic torque bar.
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Meetings with ground network provider to define data downlink requirements.
RF/Comm: X-band Patch Antenna Design
- Updated comm link budget and finalized transmit power requirements.
- Verified we can meet our average data latency requirements.
- Verified comm antenna designer can meet gain requirements to 65° off-nadir.
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Control software loaded for testing.
- Prototype board fabricated and under test.
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
- Prototype board fabrication completed, assembly in progress.
GNSS Instrument:
Home Depot run to gather materials for S/C mockup for anechoic chamber testing
- Built spacecraft mockup for anechoic multipath tests.
- Performed preliminary anechoic chamber tests and complete 2D pattern test.
Flight Software:
- Finalized Level 3 baseline flight software requirements; finalized system reset tree; completed definition of C&DH and electrical power hardware and software interfaces; completed task definitions and functional breakdown; finalized fault detection and correction for four subsystems; finalized critical event schedule.
CICERO received some excellent press in the November 28 issue of Nature, the world’s premier science publication. The article, titled “Microsatellites Aim to Fill Weather Data Gap,” (http://www.nature.com/news/microsatellites-aim-to-fill-weather-data-gap-1.11903) deals with the growing weather data crisis and the potential of small satellites and, in particular, GPS RO, to relieve that crisis. The article gives prominent mention to CICERO and examines the commercial approach to satellite weather data delivery that we are pioneering. Significantly, it quotes John Leslie of NOAA saying that the agency “strongly supports” continued collection of RO data and that “NOAA is open to buying the data commercially, but is not convinced that commercial sources will become available in the short term.” These statements in Nature, further exemplify that NOAA is willing to purchase commercial RO data.
We recently learned that NOAA commissioned an external study on alternative (non-US-government) approaches to obtaining new operational RO data, including commercial RO data providers- like us. The NOAA study will expand upon a recent study by the many-nation International Radio Occultation Working Group (IROWG). The IROWG examined potential new RO data sources before 2020 and concluded that, “There are no other operational [government] missions planned which would cover this gap.” They then cited “the planned commercial CICERO constellation” as a promising solution!
The LASP CICERO spacecraft team continues to make a great deal of progress on the spacecraft design as well as prototype hardware. The CICERO team now numbers 15 professionals and 15 students; one full-time mission operations/ground systems professional was added this month. Brief updates for each of the spacecraft subsystems are included below.
Artist’s rendering of the LASP design for the CICERO Pathfinder spacecraft.
Structure:
- Completed modal analysis- first mode meets requirements for all launch vehicles under consideration.
- Completed preliminary analysis of avionics box structural interface.
- Completed modal analysis of the first mode of deployed solar panels.
Thermal:
- Battery thermal isolation has been implemented into design.
Attitude Determination & Control System (ADCS):
- Continued physical testing of magnetic torque bar and performed extensive software development for simulation and testing.
Radio Frequency & Communication (RF/Comm):
- Identified low-cost commercial X Band switches meeting all requirements.
EPS Prototype Printed Circuit Board Under Test
- Analyzed communications confidence levels under various scenarios.
- Initiated FCC contact for comm licensing.
Electrical Power System (EPS):
- Control software loaded for testing.
- Prototype board fabricated and under test.
Command & Data Handling (C&DH):
- Proto Board layout completed and fabrication begun.
- Completed design and simulation of FPGA modules and SDRAM control module.
GNSS Instrument:
- Closed nine PDR action items.
- Updated level three requirements.
- Arranged for live rather than simulated multipath testing.
Flight Software:
- Extensive design work carried out, including definition of hardware/software interfaces, subsystem modes and states, concept of operations for system start-up and critical events sequencing, spacecraft engineering and science telemetry and system fault detection/correction.
In other news, the COSMIC Data Users’ Workshop, Oct 30-Nov 1, was attended by GeoOptics team members Tom Yunck (CTO), Conrad Lautenbacher (CEO). They were joined by Doug Olsen of our partner, the University of North Dakota, and by Professors Mike McGrath and Penina (Penny) Axelrad of CU/LASP. Tom and Penny gave a tag-team presentation of the CICERO mission concept; Tom gave the general overview and Penny presented a summary of the LASP development work to date. Based on the side meetings that occurred at the workshop, the status of COSMIC-2 remains uncertain, given the potential lack of funding for a launch vehicle, and data analysis operations and ground network support. If COSMIC-2 does not come to fruition, the RO data buy model, which lowers individual national financial burden, will be the only practical solution.
In addition to preparations for the Preliminary Design Review held this month, the CICERO spacecraft team has made further progress prototyping several subsystems, including the shunt box, load box, and EPS printed circuit board which is currently being assembled. Battery testing commenced as well (see pictures below).
As mentioned above, the LASP CICERO spacecraft team held it’s formal Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on September 12. The leads of all the major subsystem teams presented their designs and discussed design and cost tradeoffs. GeoOptics management was represented by Adm. Lautenbacher (CEO), Russ Packer (CFO), Ann Tavormina (COO), and Tom Yunck (CTO), along with Doug Olsen, our partner at the University of North Dakota, and two senior managers and engineers, Mitch Wiens and Jeff Harvey, of MMA Design, another GO partner in Boulder. A representative of Moog Inc., our long-time partner and propulsion provider, also attended. The review was a success and over the next two months LASP will complete the detailed design work. In late November, LASP will hold Critical Design Peer Reviews to inspect the flight designs. Early December brings the formal Critical Design Review (CDR) which is the final gateway to flight system production. All team members are ecstatic at the thought of entering the flight production phase- it is always extremely gratifying to see the 2-D design drawings emerge from production in 3-D!
Prototype Magnetic Torque Bar
Prototype Magnetic Torque Bar
August 2012 marks the end of the summer push at LASP to complete the preliminary spacecraft design, concluding with the CICERO spacecraft Preliminary Design Peer Reviews held the last two weeks in August. The Peer Reviews involve reviewing current spacecraft subsystem designs with internal LASP employees NOT working on CICERO and external experts from Ball, FirstRF, JPL and UCAR, all of whom submitted over 100 actions items to be reviewed in the upcoming critical design phase. Each Action Item submitted by panel members is reviewed and formally closed out shortly after the Preliminary Design Peer Reviews are held; no major design issues arose as a result of the action items. Preparations are currently underway for the formal Preliminary Design Review scheduled for September 7, 2012.
Over the summer, the CICERO team has been building and testing several prototype spacecraft components, including the Magnetic Torque Bar (MTB) and the Coarse Sun Sensor (CSS). Below are pictures of the MTB and two of the CICERO students performing a test on the prototype CSS.
Team Members Testing CSS
On another note, the online tech business journal, Kidela published an article on GeoOptics on August 21. The article describes the background and goals of GeoOptics and our vision for the future of remote earth sensing. The complete article is located at http://www.kidela.com/start-ups/geooptics-to-keep-vigilant-eye-on-earth/.
The 23-person design team at LASP has made substantial progress in finalizing all elements of the updated CICERO spacecraft design: structures, power system, command and data handling, attitude determination and control, thermal control, propulsion, telecom, and the GPS RO sensor. On July 12, 2012 the CICERO spacecraft design team at LASP held its second (and final) baseline review before the official Preliminary Design Review scheduled for September 2012. Level1 and Level 2 requirements are 95% complete and Level 3 requirements are being meticulously recorded. Spacecraft design details are coming along, including an onboard propulsion system from Moog. The current approach of launching 2 spacecraft for the Pathfinder mission requires much less onboard propulsion. The Baseline 2 review revealed that the spacecraft design is on schedule and progressing rapidly!
With regard to the RO instrument, the current design now uses the JPL-developed TriG RO instrument as the baseline. Currently, the availability of a fully tested and flight ready TriG receiver will be the pacing item for our Pathfinder launch schedule.
Uncategorized | yunck | 
April 30, 2013 8:34 pm | 
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