Distributed spacecraft systems is envisioned to provide the technology platform to extend, improve and enable mission concepts such as wide aperture radars for high-precision space-borne surveillance, 3D mapping of Earth's magnetic field and even deep-space interferometry to better understand the origins of the universe. However, a mission with a fully autonomous spacecraft fleet flying in close-proximity or in a tightly kept configuration has yet to be realized. In this work, we review the major technology drivers and challenges for such next generation systems across a selective set of on-going, cancelled or proposed space missions. Our analyses identify five main classes of technology drivers from navigation and control perspective. These drivers are enumerated for a typical interferometric SAR example. The example illustrates steep technological challenges such as the need for sub-millimeter relative navigation solution accuracy for even decimeter level vertical image resolution. We conclude with an initial effort at outlining a cost effective and robust roadmap for flight maturation of the key technologies to deem such missions and goals achievable.
Technology Drivers and Challenges For Next Generation Distributed Spacecraft Systems
2007-06-01
5371992 byte
Conference paper
Electronic Resource
English
Technology drivers and challenges for next generation distributed spacecraft systems
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