Near-field connectivity for hosted payloads

Abstract

A system and method for wirelessly communicating between a host bus (20) of a spacecraft (10) and a secondary payload (40). In one configuration, the host bus and secondary payload each include a wireless interface (50) for establishing a radio or optical communications link thereby allowing for the elimination of a complex wiring harness connected between the host bus and the secondary payload.

Description

technical field [0001] The field of embodiments of the present invention relates to on-board payloads onboard spacecraft, and more particularly to wireless interfacing between resources of a spacecraft's host bus and on-board payloads. Background technique [0002] Commercial and government agencies are increasingly considering alternative means of launching payloads into orbit in order to save time and money. The onboard payloads are used by those commercial and government agencies that seek the capability in orbit without paying for the construction and launch of an entire spacecraft. A piggybacked secondary payload is a module with mission-specific circuitry attached to the spacecraft that operates independently of the spacecraft's primary payload, but shares the spacecraft's resources, eg, power supply. This concept is sometimes called "piggy backing," and could reduce both the cost and time required to acquire the ability to go into space. [0003] A spacecraft typica...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the wiring harness results in many custom connections that not only add weight to the spacecraft, but also add time and expense to the manufacture and launch of the spacecraft

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