Universal Spacecraft Port for In-Orbit Module Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and complexity of modern spacecraft, combined with the need for extended operational life and frequent technological obsolescence, result in significant investment risks due to malfunctions or changes in payload technology, leading to potential early retirement of spacecraft despite their potential usefulness.
Innovation Solution
A universal external port system that allows for the connection of external modules with different functions to existing spacecraft, enabling the addition or replacement of components without removing existing components, thereby extending the spacecraft's operational life and allowing for modular servicing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spacecraft components are replaced or upgraded, then the spacecraft functionality is improved, but the spacecraft must be removed from service and taken out of orbit
Solution Approach 1:
The spacecraft is divided into modular components that can be independently serviced. The external payload can be detached and replaced without affecting the core spacecraft system, allowing component-level maintenance while keeping the main vehicle operational.
Solution Approach 2:
A robotic servicing vehicle acts as an intermediary between ground control and the target spacecraft. This mediator can dock with the spacecraft, perform repairs or payload replacements, and transfer components without requiring the spacecraft to return to Earth or be deliberately deorbited.
2Duration of action of moving object
If spacecraft are designed for extended operational life, then investment return is improved, but the spacecraft becomes obsolete due to payload technology changes
Solution Approach 1:
The servicing vehicle is designed with universal interfaces and tools that can accommodate multiple types of spacecraft and payload configurations. This allows a single servicing vehicle to work with various spacecraft designs and payload types, maintaining adaptability across different technology generations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacecraft payload configuration is made dynamic and reconfigurable. Payloads can be replaced or upgraded during the spacecraft's operational life through robotic servicing, allowing the system to adapt to new technology standards while extending the base spacecraft's service life.
3Reliability
If critical system failures occur, then spacecraft operability is lost, but the failure components represent a small fraction of total system cost
Solution Approach 1:
The faulty component is extracted or removed from the spacecraft system and replaced with a functional unit. The robotic servicing vehicle can isolate and remove failed components without requiring complete spacecraft replacement, focusing repair efforts on the specific malfunctioning element.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting complex repairs of critical failure components, the system employs replaceable, pre-tested payload modules or components that can be quickly swapped in by the servicing vehicle. This approach is more cost-effective than repairing complex failed systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal external port is proposed to add new functionality to or replace existing functionality of an already deployed spacecraft (e.g., a satellite in orbit). The universal external port is mounted on an external surface of the spacecraft and configured to connect to different types of external modules that have different functions, without removing components from the spacecraft other than one or more components of the universal external port. A communication interface onboard the spacecraft is configured to wirelessly receive a software patch from an entity remote from the spacecraft (e.g., from a ground terminal or other spacecraft) to program the spacecraft to change operation of the spacecraft to utilize the external module when the external module is connected to the universal external port.