NASA embarks on a cutting-edge small spacecraft technology demonstration aimed at proving the abilities of swarm technologies. This involves a group of spacecraft cost-effectively working together, each communicating and performing tasks in harmony. The demonstration is represented by the PY4 mission, which deploys four CubeSats. These small-scale satellites are scheduled to lift off on Monday, March 4, at 2:05 p.m. PST into low Earth orbit. The SpaceX’s Transporter-10 mission will facilitate this launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh spearheads the PY4 mission with the backing of the NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program. PY4’s objective is to actualize accurate spacecraft-to-spacecraft ranging, orbit navigation, and the execution of coordinated multipoint radiation detection with limited size, weight, power, and financial investment. The mission employs an avant-garde avionics setup known as PyCubed which combines all necessary functionalities—ranging from power and computing to communication and orbit control—into a single board system. Moreover, PyCubed’s design is open-source, designed for programming in Python, and comprises cost-effective, readily available commercial components.
Upon their deployment at an altitude of over 325 miles from Earth, the CubeSats will intermittently calculate the distance between themselves to understand their relative positions. These data sets will let them determine the swarm’s configuration by blending their range metrics with other sensory information. This could significantly lighten the load of ground-based operations and foster the feasibility of conducting multi-spacecraft operations in a budget-friendly manner. The PY4 design has been pre-tested through V-R3x technology demonstrations both in orbit and during a suborbital flight test on NASA’s Flight Opportunities program’s commercial high-altitude balloon, setting the stage for this expansive mission.
As NASA experiments with crucial swarm technologies via the current Starling mission launched in 2023, PY4 is expected to further reduce the expenses tied to small spacecraft swarm abilities. This reduction will happen while promoting technologies like the autonomous navigation system validated by Starling, broadening access to a hardware and software platform ripe for flight.
In the featured image, NASA’s Ames Research Center engineering team in California’s Silicon Valley are seen inserting the mission’s CubeSats into a dispenser sourced from Maverick Space Systems, based in San Luis Obispo, California. This formed part of their vibration analysis procedure. Each of these 1.5U CubeSats measures nearly 4 inches by 4 inches by 6.5 inches. Post-testing, the CubeSats were delivered to SpaceX for incorporation into the Falcon 9 rocket, in preparation for the imminent launch.
The Robotic Exploration Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University is responsible for leading PY4, with financial support from NASA’s Ames Small Spacecraft Technology program. Engineers at NASA Ames involved in the Small Spacecraft Technology program played significant roles in assembling, scrutinizing, and integrating the CubeSats, as well as coordinating their handover to Maverick Space Systems, the designated launch integrator for PY4.
Author:
Chloe E. Tuck
For news media:
- Journalists interested in this subject are encouraged to reach out to the Ames newsroom for additional information.
FAQ Section
What is the CubeSat swarm technology demonstration?
This demonstration, known as the PY4 mission, aims to test the ability for multiple small spacecraft to communicate and perform synchronized actions, a concept referred to as swarm technology.
When and where will the CubeSats be launched?
The CubeSats are scheduled to launch on Monday, March 4, at 2:05 p.m. PST from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-10 mission.
What is the PyCubed system?
PyCubed is an integrated avionics platform that combines all the functionalities required for a CubeSat including power, computing, communications, attitude determination, and orbit control. It’s an open-source system that’s programmable in Python and uses commercial off-the-shelf components.
What is the main benefit of the CubeSat swarm technology?
The technology could reduce the workload for ground controllers and enable multi-spacecraft missions to be conducted more cost-effectively.
Has the PY4 platform been used previously?
Yes, the PY4 platform was utilized in orbit and suborbital flight tests involving the V-R3x technology, conducted with NASA’s Flight Opportunities program.
Conclusion
The imminent PY4 mission underlines NASA’s continued efforts in advancing the capabilities of small spacecraft technology, in particular that of swarm operations. By tailoring the PyCubed system to suit the stringent requirements of orbital missions while maintaining budget efficiency, NASA aims to increase the accessibility and diversity of space exploration and research. The PY4 mission foreshadows a future where collaborative satellite constellations can execute complex tasks, advancing not only scientific inquiry but the prospects of commercial ventures in space as well.