Shared Spacecraft Payload Control Through a Centralized Hub
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacecraft-based services systems require users to delegate control authority to external parties, limiting operational flexibility, or necessitate substantial investment and maintenance, and often face conflicts among multiple users with differing interests.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a constellation of satellites with a hub controlling payloads and ground control elements, allowing users to operate spacecraft without direct control, using a centralized hub to manage spacecraft operations and payload assignments based on user requests, while maintaining operational flexibility and reducing investment and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users delegate control authority to external parties, then operational flexibility is hampered, but users avoid substantial investment and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments control authority into two distinct layers: strategic control remains with the external operator while tactical control is delegated to individual users for their specific payloads. This segmentation allows users to operate their payloads directly without compromising overall system coordination, thereby maintaining operational flexibility while avoiding the need for users to acquire comprehensive spacecraft operation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control architecture where the external operator maintains overarching control while users can directly manipulate their designated payloads. This intermediary structure resolves the contradiction by allowing direct user-payload interaction without requiring full spacecraft control authority, thus preserving operational flexibility without demanding substantial user investment in comprehensive spacecraft operation capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If users develop and acquire spacecraft operation capabilities, then operational flexibility improves, but substantial investment and ongoing maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial action by allowing users to develop only the specific operation capabilities needed for their particular payload rather than requiring comprehensive spacecraft operation skills. Users invest resources only in the partial capability set necessary for their designated tasks, reducing overall investment and maintenance requirements while still achieving sufficient operational flexibility for their specific needs.
3Productivity
If multiple users share a spacecraft with multiple payloads, then resource utilization improves, but conflicts arise between users with dissimilar interests
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the spacecraft into distinct operational domains, with each user having dedicated control authority over their specific payload. This segmentation eliminates conflicts between users with dissimilar interests by creating clear boundaries in the control hierarchy, while the external operator coordinates overall resource allocation to maintain high productivity and efficient resource utilization across all payloads.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for providing spacecraft-based services, preferably including one or more spacecraft and one or more ground control elements, wherein the spacecraft can include one or more payloads associated with one or more organizations. A method for providing spacecraft-based services, preferably including receiving service requests, determining request assignments, and/or controlling spacecraft.