A Guidance, Navigation and Control (GN&C) Implementation of Plug-and-Play for Responsive Spacecraft

It is becoming more important to the space community that spacecraft be developed in direct support of responsive missions, which implies that spacecraft need to be “built to inventory”, constructed from off-the-shelf components based on varying mission needs, and/or integrated rapidly with payloads as they are identified and available. Microcosm, in conjunction with HRP Systems, under several SBIRs from AFRL/VSSE, has developed a rapid prototype implementation of Plug-and-Play (PnP) components and generic core algorithms that are focused on a guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) application for spacecraft scheduled for demonstration on the AFRL PnPSat. This paper will address architectural issues that drive a PnP implementation of the GN&C function, with an emphasis on identifying and understanding all of the pros and cons associated with this implementation path. Additionally, the paper will examine the Microcosm/HRP Systems approach to GN&C design, including software partitioning, algorithm development, and performance testing.

Graven, P., L.J. Hansen. AIAA Infotech@Aerospace 2007 Conference and Exhibit, Rohnert Park, CA. May 7–10, 2007.