NASA's Small Explorer (SMEX) project has developed a series of highly capable small satellites that are being used to support astrophysics and space physics investigations. These satellites, while both small and economical, give up nothing in performance and versatility to the larger satellites developed over the past 15 years within the Explorer program. Innovative engineering and new technology advances have increased the potential scientific return of the SMEX spacecraft to a level comparable to larger carriers. The design has struck a balance between mission risk and cost that has allowed for the development of an extremely capable spacecraft. The first SMEX mission, Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer (SAMPEX), has been in orbit since July 1992 and is continuing to perform well. It has proven the merits of this design approach. This paper describes the fundamental strategies and technologies used in developing the design. It outlines the key elements of the system architecture and describes the capabilities and merits of the major subsystems. Major design trade-offs are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on the innovative attitude control system which was developed for the SAMPEX mission. The paper also describes the unique SMEX approach to mission operations.


    Zugriff

    Zugriff über TIB

    Verfügbarkeit in meiner Bibliothek prüfen


    Exportieren, teilen und zitieren



    Titel :

    NASA's Small Explorer spacecraft - Flight proven, high performance, reliable, and still small


    Beteiligte:

    Kongress:

    IAF, International Astronautical Congress ; 1993 ; Graz, Austria


    Erscheinungsdatum :

    01.10.1993


    Medientyp :

    Aufsatz (Konferenz)


    Format :

    Keine Angabe


    Sprache :

    Englisch


    Schlagwörter :


    Spacecraft Computer System, a High Performance Flight Data System for NASA's Small Explorer Satellites

    Nguyen, Q. H. / Utah State University; Center for Space Engineering / AIAA | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1995


    NASA's Small Explorer program

    Jones, W. Vernon / Rasch, Nickolus O. | NTRS | 1989


    Sampex: NASA's First Small Explorer Satellite

    Mason, G. / Baker, D. / Blake, J. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998



    NASA's Small Spacecraft Technology Initiative "CLARK" Spacecraft

    Hayduk, R. J. / Sebestyen, G. / International Academy of Astronautics | British Library Conference Proceedings | 1996