For Engineers
SpinSat Platform
The SpinSat platform enables long-duration exposure to deep-space radiation environments under controlled gravity levels from micro-g to Mars g. Easy integration and late payload access are key features. Modification of payload radiation environments to mimic those of the moon and Mars are key objectives.
SpinSat provides alternate “gravity fields” and payload configurations.
There are two mechanical configurations for SpinSat, Side Mount and In-Line.
| Side Mount |
|---|
Side Mount – – Designed to be accommodated on an ESPA Grande stretch ring port.
- 1.5m design mounting to a standard 24” ESPA port
- Required Spin Rate: ~36 rpm
- 4 2x2U Wedge Payloads at 1/6 g OR 2 2x2U Standard Payloads at 1/6 g
- 4 2x2U Standard Payloads at 1 g with space for additional payloads at different radii – g levels OR 4 1x4U radial payloads spanning g gradient
- ~32-48U, configuration dependent
- Thickness of disk increased to allow for 2U depth (meets request for more payload volume at minimum radius)
- Modifications of COTS canister design required for 2x2U payloads and tighter packing near axis.
| In-Line |
|---|
In-Line – Designed to be part of the ESPA ring stack.
• SpinSat built in/around an ESPA ring, mounted in-line with separator bands
- Potential deployment concerns with re-contact to objects mounted above it in the stack
- May raise issues with load paths
• Allows for a much larger 4.34m diameter
- Lower spin rate
- More room at 1/6th g annulus
- Easier to trim-balance and more room for a dynamic mass balance system
- Less compact design would simplify assembly
- Much larger solar arrays (~3800W total)
- More payload volume, 96U as configured, can support 300U+
• Design shown uses 4 arms and 96U of payload, future work to optimize
• For future versions: late loading ability would be limited, would rely on late integration of the entire stack
