Using Small Satellites to Construct an In-Space Test Platform for Risk Reduction

Abstract

View Video Presentation: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2023-2214.vid To overcome the technical readiness levels (TRL) 4 – 7 “Valley of Death” and accelerate new technology development, the US Space Force (USSF) started an in-Space Developmental Test (iSDT) initiative with its instantiation of a persistent iSDT platform called the Advanced Space-Based Testbed (XST). For risk-reduction, a scaled-down Mini-XST is proposed for proof-of-concept. Its key space systems include the spacecraft bus, test payloads, tender servicer to deliver test payload to the Mini-XST spacecraft, and robotic servicer to attach test payloads to the Mini-XST platform. In this paper, the proposed Mini-XST taking advantage of recent proliferated small satellite technologies as well as standard interface to support its successful operation will be discussed and illustrated.