A new generation of small satellites set to make space more affordable

Citation

(2004), "A new generation of small satellites set to make space more affordable", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 76 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.2004.12776aaf.010

A new generation of small satellites set to make space more affordable

A new generation of small satellites set to make space more affordable

Keywords: Space, Satellites, Design, Technology

The Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales (CNES) – the French National Centre for space Research is to introduce the Myriade chain, a line of micro satellites weighing less than 150 kg, but capable of performing the same functions, with the same performance levels and precision as any other satellite.

The development time of micro satellites is short and cost relatively low, so they can be considered both as a test bench for qualifying new technologies in orbit and also for testing new design and project management methods. This range is revolutionary, due to the innovative methods deployed in terms of engineering, risk control, redefining the client/ supplier process and standardising design and manufacturing tools. In fact, it is the first time that the sector has considered a chain approach, based on a system with a design that is intended to be re-used and on the notion of designing the most appropriate product, tailored for the mission. The Myriade product line is initially aimed at scientific or technological development missions. “Numerous users, such as emerging countries, can call upon the facilities offered by the new micro satellites market for taking their first steps into space”, explained Marie-Anne Clair, the CNES Programme Manager. The programme is even more accessible as the Ariane 5 launcher with its new ASAP (Ariane Structure for Auxiliary Payloads) platform offers low cost launch possibilities for equipment as an auxiliary payload (just over one million dollars for 100 kg).

The CNES's strategy is based on the “Better, Faster, Cheaper” concept fashionable in the United States in the 1990s, aiming at using certain technological developments and commercial components to produce high performance systems at low cost. The CNES has transformed this concept into “Smaller, Faster, Cheaper”.

In March 2004, the Demeter project (study of ionosphere disturbances due to natural geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes or volcanic eruptions) was the first project to be launched. In October 2004, it should be followed by Parasol (characterisation of radiative and micro physical properties), and then, in 2007, by Microscope (Equivalence Principle). The concept has also been adapted to an experimental mission for the Ministry of Defence (Essaim programme, a constellation of four micro satellites tasked with monitoring the planet's radar and radioactivity, entrusted to Astrium).

To guarantee its financial strategy the CNES has entirely reviewed its practices. First, for achieving better mastery of the programme's definition, cost and organisation, the CNES has retained the role of prime contractor. Being constrained to adopt the triptych specific to the aeronautical world, i.e. cost, timescale and quality, the space centre quite naturally turned to its partners with experience in these areas by retaining the Latécoère group for final integration (with its Latelec subsidiary for wiring and its Beat subsidiary for design work and technical assistance on defining the mechanical structure). With Myriade, above all it is a question of improving the production process and simplifying it with the aim of saving execution time.

For the first time, the space centre has broken away from the ESA preferred suppliers list and has used traditional product procurement chains. This strategy was made possible by the current technical revolution. With the advent of mobile telephone, constraints imposed on electronic components correspond to the requirements of the space sector: size limitations, robustness, protection against heat and impacts. Now manufacturers are not only able to supply made to measure chips capable of fitting into the smallest spaces, but also able to insert several types of functions within the same component.

“Given the space constraints, we had to use components, complying with ESA approvals that were very expensive due to being subjected to numerous qualifications to guarantee the manufacturing process. The use of commercial components, whilst being of lower quality, does broaden the choice with much higher performances. They offer an attractive quality/ price ratio as well as weight and space savings having a positive impact on energy consumption. Also, the onboard computers are now completely modular, integrating functions in accordance with the client's needs”, said René Peyretti, Sales Director of Steel Electronique. With mass reduction being a high priority, Myriade has pushed integration even further by opting for the 3D technology enabling chips to be located on top of each other within the same housing.

This vertical integration optimises available space management and enables several manufacturing stages to be eliminated. It is the “3D Plus” encapsulated chip stacking technique developed by the Buc company, based in the Paris area, that has been chosen by the CNES. This medium sized business (50 employees) formerly part of the old Thomsom CSF organisation, has filed about 15 patents relating to 3D technology. It is well known in the military, aeronautical and space sectors for producing bespoke three dimensional models. “The benefit of our technology is being able to offer memory capacities ten times greater than the latest component available on the market and still take up the same amount of space on the circuit. Savings in energy consumption and reductions in access time are estimated as being in the region of 25 percent, with weight savings of about 15 percent”, said Bernard Berne, Sales and Marketing Director of 3D Plus, pioneer in the field of three dimensional components.

Compact, robust, fully automated, maintenance free, with immediate identification of a defective sub-assembly from an ordinary PC, multi frequency and, above all multi mission, the emitting and receiving station heralds a new turnkey range. Standardisation and maximum usage of existing market products and standardised subsystems have enabled the company to produce a station in less than a year and at the lowest cost. Assembling and installing the station took less than a week. “The station has been designed to optimise acquisition costs, ease of use, customisation, maintenance and updating”, explained Pierre Verzat, Chairman and Managing Director of Elta, an equipment supplier renowned in the space sector for technologies control in extreme environments. In terms of systems, effort was focused on digital technology and chained coding to have margins on the allocated links, on the power available and on the reduction in aerial sizes (3.10 m).

Amongst its equipment, the TET-X, an X band station intended for receiving remote mission measurements is equipped with receivers for demodulating chained lattice coded signals and a system for recording the data on hard disks with a 2 h high speed capacity.

The Myriade product line offers excellent performance in terms of the capabilities offered in relation to the payload. The three axis pointing system is suitable for both earth and space oriented missions and thus offers several types of applications. A remarkable performance has been achieved in equipping the micro satellites with instruments supplying valuable measurements. To go even further, the payload's mass and energy consumption must be reduced to a minimum and the control system's miniaturisation must be extended.

Impatiently awaited in the space sector, micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) as intelligent micro systems, should be able to be embarked on future nano satellites and will represent yet another leap forward in technology.

Details available from: FTPB. Tel: +44 (0) 207 235 5330; Fax: +44 (0) 207 235 2773.