Product Development Description

Multi-functional Microsystems technology will be used as the core enabling architecture for these Nano-Pico-Satellites. The multi-functional design approach allows significant decrease in mass while maintaining relatively high payload capacity. The technology roadmap for the progression of NPS missions is as follows:

•NPS 1 w/1st generation subsystems (launched end of 2007)
•NPS 2 w/2nd generation subsystems (launched beginning of 2009)
•NPS 3 w/2nd generation subsystems (launched end of 2009)
•NPS 4 special purpose mission (launched 2011)

NPS 1-4 are Nanosatellite missions. NPS-1 will be nominally based on the MicroLink-1 spacecraft design and will use existing MEMS and conventional components. “Second” generation technologies will be implemented starting from the NPS-2 mission. Technology validation possibilities in Generation 2 missions will be developed in partnership with customers and sub-contractors. These technology functions include:

•Thermal Management Control
•Power Management
•Attitude and Station-Keeping
•Communications and Control
•Data Management
•Autonomous Navigation (in 2011)
•Coordinated formation flying (in 2011)

CANEUS NPS Project Implementation is achieved via a three-layer consortium consisting of the following organizations (Please see Figure 2):

The primary layer of the consortium consists of CANEUS NPS and its technology partner AAC.  The secondary layer includes potential end users such as Mitsui Bussan of Japan, USAF AFRL, and Thales (Alcatel-Alenia) of France. The tertiary layer includes collaborators from industry and academic institutions. CANEUS NPS has several international collaborations with a number of industries and academic institutions.

This consortium-based teaming arrangement is illustrated in the diagram below:

Figure 3.0 The layers of CANEUS NPS consortium.