MIT SSL Ground Programs
The Space Systems Lab developes the technology and systems analysis associated with small spacecraft, precision optical systems, and International Space Station technology research and development. The laboratory encompasses expertise in structural dynamics, control, thermal, space power, propulsion, MEMS, software development and systems. A major activity in this laboratory is the development of small spacecraft thruster systems as well as looking at issues associated with the distribution of function among satellites. In addition, technology is being developed for spaceflight validation in support of a new class of space-based telescopes that exploit the physics of interferometry to achieve dramatic breakthroughs in angular resolution.
Past ground projects
ARGOS
The goal of the ARGOS
project is to educate undergraduate students according
to the CDIO guidelines, to develop a modular imaging
satellite testbed, and to actively contribute to
research in large space-based imaging systems. Ultimately
the goal is to build a telescope system, which operates
autonomously and in a self-contained manner, including
full three-axis pointing and slewing control, coherent
beam combining, high resolution CCD-based imaging,
data compression, as well as wireless command, telemetry
and image data communications.
EXNPS
Exploration of Neighboring Planetary Systems (ExNPS). The MIT SSL is presently investigating various designs for NASA's proposed Terrestrial Planet Finder, most notably a configuration using multiple free-flying independent spacecraft. Such a design avoids the difficult control issues of a structurally-connected interferometer, while adding the advantage of a wide range of variable optical baselines, which would improve detection accuracy. However, independent control of free-flying spacecraft to the required centimeter or lower precision of an interferometer is a daunting issue. The laboratory is actively comparing the two high-level configurations to determine the optimal for the eventual design and construction of the Terrestrial Planet Finder.
GINA
The
Generalized Information Network
Analysis (GINA) methodology for Distributed
Satellite Systems (DSS) - is a systems engineering
and architecting (SE&A) framework developed
by the MIT Space Systems Laboratory for the conceptual
design of space systems. GINA enables the creation
and comparison of numerous different design architectures
for a given mission. The foundation behind the GINA
methodology is the belief that all satellite systems
are information disseminators that can be represented
as information transfer networks.
Origins testbed
The MIT SSL designed and constructed a space
telescope testbed whose structural dynamic response
is similar to that of proposed next generation space
telescopes: the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM)
and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) (aka Next
Generation Space Telescope). The research goal is
to address challenges faced by NASAs Origins Program
telescopes in areas related to dynamics and control,
and to ensure that the results are applicable to
these missions.
AALLA
The goal of the Active Acoustic
Launch Load Alleviation (AALLA) project is to
reduce the acoustic loads on payloads during launch
by controlling the transmission and reflection of
sound through the payload fairing. Experimental
work thus far has focused on the implementation
of an impedence matching controller on a 1D acoustic
wavguide. Significant reduction in the acoustic
energy has been achieved for the region near the
first and second acoustic modes. The unmodeled higher
order dynamics of the actuator prevent a broadband
reduction in the acoustic energy. Therefore, experimental
work is now concentrated on the modeling of these
higher order actuator modes to servo the actuator,
allowing a low order impedence matching compensator
to be implemented for broadband attenuation of the
acoustic energy.
ASAC
The goal of the Advanced Concepts Research Project (ACRP) is to develop Advanced Spacecraft Architectural Concepts (ASAC) using Modular & Multifunctional units (MMSC). Functions conventionally provided by various specifically designed single function components are integrated into standardized modules. Given spacecraft functionality requirements and technical specifications, the spacecraft can then be built by assembling these basic modules together. Interfaces among these modules can also be standardized to allow easy assembly as well as flexibility for the spacecraft design.
Linear Ion Microthrusters
Dynamics of deployable structures
Submicron Dynamics & Thermal Snap Response Of Deployable Truss Structures. The overall objective of the research is to perform an experimental and analytical investigation of the microdynamics of deployable truss structures. Specifically, the main goal is to characterize the dynamic response of such nonlinear structures at sub-microstrain levels of mechanical and thermal excitation. In the case of mechanical excitation, the response will be characterized in terms of modal parameters (the natural frequency and damping ratio). The response to thermal excitation will be characterized in the time and frequency domains.
