Category Archives: Demonstration

Autonomous Scheduling for Rapid Responsive Launch of Constellations

The dissertation proposal for “Autonomous Scheduling for Rapid Responsive Launch of Constellations,” by Christopher R. Simpson was successfully defended on 23 March 2020. Regular demonstrations of improvements to the model every two weeks on an agile management framework will be posted to Simpson Aerospace and Christopher R. Simpson’s doctoral committee. The proposal and addendum are available upon request.


Abstract and Presentation

Rapid response airborne launch vehicles can provide the capability to respond to a developing situation anywhere in the world with a nanosatellite overhead in under an hour. This represents an opportunity to provide rapid response for military missions, disaster response, and rapid science return from remote/extreme physical locations. Current capabilities in the denial and tracking of space-assets limits the effectiveness of constellations already on-orbit to be agile in a military response. Constellations on-orbit can take up to a day or more for disaster data return to rescue operations personnel. Remote and rapid science return may help model Arctic cyclones which can only be accurately predicted 24 hours before they occur. To achieve time-sensitive returns from a constellation in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) scheduling algorithms for multiple near-simultaneous launches are proposed. Specifically, a mission planning system for delivery of multiple satellites from multiple similar air-launched platforms for constellation installation over any selected point optimizing for mean response time with constraints on the quality of coverage. The focus is on the scheduling of tactical fighter aircraft with airborne launch vehicles to achieve the minimum response time to fit the mission needs.

Executive Summary – NASA MSFC SCP/Dissertation

Executive Summary

Christopher Simpson will build a dual-use synchronized phased array utilizing a software-defined radio to test inter-formation networking and precise navigation and timing. This device will later use 24-GHz Ka-band to allow data-rates of 1-Gbps. The prototype will be presented in March 2020 at the conclusion of the effort. The payload functions as a passive radar and directed beam by utilizing electronic beam-forming, passive illumination, and network time reference protocols. During AY 2020-2021, 2 demonstration CubeSats will be built to test this game-changing technology in formation flying.

 

Mr. Simpson intends to collaborate with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) researchers developing inter-CubeSat communication using a peer-to-peer topology. The mesh network architecture MSFC researchers are developing is intended to allow for data exchange between spacecraft with no central router. The waveform currently in use will be leveraged to reduce development risk.

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Marshall Space Flight Center Fiscal Year 2019 Student Collaboration Projects (SCPs) – SIMPSON

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NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) released a call on June 3 for proposals to collaborate with promising students and leverage ongoing work to explore new, innovative applications of that ongoing work.

Executive Summary

Christopher Simpson will build a 130-430 MHz dual-use software-defined radio to test inter-formation networking and precise navigation and timing. This device will later use 24-GHz Ka-band to allow data-rates of 1-Gbps. The prototype will be presented in March 2020 at the conclusion of the effort. The payload functions as a passive radar and directed beam by utilizing electronic beam-forming, passive illumination, and network time reference protocols. During AY 2019-2020, 2 demonstration nodes will be built to test this game-changing technology in formation flying.

Mr. Simpson intends to collaborate with Marshall Space Flight Center researchers developing inter-CubeSat communication using a peer-to-peer topology. The mesh network architecture MSFC researchers are developing is intended to allow for data exchange between spacecraft with no central router. The waveform currently in use will be leveraged to reduce development risk.

This proposal addresses NASA Roadmap 2015 - TA 5.5.1.1, Intelligent Multipurpose Software Defined Radio and enhances a return to the lunar surface by addressing LEAG - Strategic Knowledge Gap (SKG) Theme 1-D Polar Resources 7.

Addressing the Scientific and Technical Challenges

1.Track and communicate with other nodes (Satellites in the formation)

  • Simulate on ground the tracking and communication capability this network will provide

2.Expanding Network Time Reference (NRT) to communication systems to reduce reliance on external time references and improve navigation.

  • Use this NRT to electronically form the beam and transmit/track satellite.
  • Use same antenna for communication/radar.

3.Reduce required SWaP while improving technical merit.

  • Electronic beam-steering for inter-formation tracking and communication networking has not been demonstrated previously, see NASA Small Satellite Database.
  • Missions are in the work to demonstrate inter-formation network

Budget and Time Constraints

$6,000 for materials (adjusted for risk/price increase)
Table in presentation.
20 Weeks (10 Sprints/625 hrs)

I intend to utilize Scrum planning to utilize an AGILE development. I will finish January 12 if everything occurs ideally. This leaves me with an extra 9 weeks of overage or another 281.25 hours of development.

Documents:

Synchronized Phased Array Software Defined Radio

NASA-SCP-Response_SIMPSON

NASA-SCP-Response_Storyboard_Outline

Learning Creo Parametric (New CAD tools!)

I recently installed and started teaching myself the Creo suite of tools. I needed a replacement for AutoDesk Inventor. I’ve posted the finished product of the tutorials for building a piston/ piston shaft. I would like to reach the same capability I previously held with Inventor. For those of you not familiar with Creo, Wikipedia offers this:

Creo Elements/Pro and Creo Parametric compete directly with CATIA, Siemens NX/Solidedge, and SolidWorks. The Creo suite of apps replace and supersede PTC’s products formerly known as Pro/ENGINEER, CoCreate, and ProductView.

I previously used AutoDesk Inventor to make the Gulfstream GV/ G550 model (Gulfstream G-V CAD). Dr. Charles O’Neill has reproduced a version of this model in CATIA. The article describing the model is here: https://charles-oneill.com/blog/gulfstream-gv-g550-cad-model/ His model is available on GrabCad: https://grabcad.com/library/gulfstream-gv-g550-low-fidelity-2

GV-pods

Gulfstream GV / G550 CAD Model

Engineers/pilots will notice, on my model, the abscence of wingtips and the exact airfoil is reproduced as best as possible for being lofted from drawings. This drawing was intended as low fidelity to facilitate a proposal. It meets those requirements.

Completing the Creo tutorial required some breakdown between both the text and the videos provided. Completed exercises are shown below.

creoparametric_ex1

A piston created in Creo (Creo Beginner Exercise 1)

creoparametric_ex2

A crankshaft to emphasis patterns and simplifying (Creo Beginner Exercise 2)

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_oc1Cko-KI&w=560&h=315]

Post-Flight Analysis Report (PFAR) of RX1

 

SUMMARY:

Christopher R. Simpson built a rocket to pass his Level 1 (L1) certification from the National Association of Rocketry (NAR). The rocket was a kit from Madcow Rocketry; the “Frenzy,” [1]. The RX1 used an Aerotech H550ST-14A, “Super Thunder,” motor with a total impulse of 71.9 lb-sec and a burn time of 0.57 sec. Construction of the rocket, flight, and recovery are reviewed to analyze and critique operations.

Post-Flight Analysis Report (PFAR) attached here: PFAR-RX1 (26 Feb 2018)

YouTube link to flight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqff5scf-00

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

A big thank you to Karson Holmes for certifying/critiquing me and William Ledbetter for making the trip to watch the fun take off! Also, a special thanks to Alabama Rocketry for allowing me to use their adapter.

RESOURCES:

Rocket Used: https://www.madcowrocketry.com/4-frenzy/

Motor/Supplier Used: https://csrocketry.com/rocket-motors/aerotech-rocketry/motors/38mm/dms-rocket-motors/aerotech-h550-14a-super-thunder-dms-rocket-motor.html

Alabama Rocketry Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alabamarocketry/

Pheonix Missile Works Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/58541022592/