Meet the Team

• Science Lead: Jessica Lee – jessica.a.lee@nasa.gov
• Project Management: Scott Richey – scott.richey@nasa.gov
• Payload Technology: Tony Ricco – antonio.j.ricco@nasa.gov
• Programmatics: Jay Bookbinder – jay.bookbinder@nasa.gov
• Systems Engineering Lead: Stevan Spremo – stevan.m.spremo@nasa.gov

Problem Statement

The effects of deep space radiation and reduced gravity on biological systems remain largely unknown, thus posing a significant knowledge gap for both astronaut health and in-space agriculture. The SPINSAT spacecraft platform is designed to bridge a critical gap in our understanding of how deep space radiation and reduced gravity affect living systems.

Human Health and Environmental Control & Life Support System (ECLSS):

• Radiation exposure incurred during space exploration is one of the greatest threats to an astronaut’s health. There is insufficient knowledge of the health effects of space radiation and the space radiation environment to provide recommendations on crew exposure limits and design requirements for long-duration missions.

Space Biology:

• Current capabilities for providing the Biological & Physical Sciences (BPS) communities access to combined deep-space radiation and gravity ranges are limited.

Goals and Objectives

Goals: Develop beyond-LEO (BLEO) multi-payload platform to provide transit-to-Mars and Mars-surface gravity-plus-radiation environments for science experiments, model validation, technology development, & risk reduction. Objectives include: 

• Frequent access to Mars-relevant BLEO space via a launch-vehicle-and orbit-agnostic platform

• Use of “cubesat standard” interfaces enabling broad participation in experiments by academics, commercials, and other government agencies.

Objectives:

O1	Simultaneous long duration exposure to deep space radiation environment over a range of (0 -> 1G) gravities simultaneously, including 1g control
O2	Low cost per experiment • Many experiments can be hosted on the platform • Allows for multiple copies of experiments / enhanced statistical significance
O3	Allow for frequent access to space: • O3a: LV Agnostic • O3b: Orbit agnostic
O4	Interfaces consist of the highly familiar “Cubesat” interfaces based on the “U”. • Other configurations are achievable and not a priori precluded. • PI focus on the experiment, not the S/C.
O5	Easy integration / payload access. • Stretch: Permit “just-in time” loads for biology prior to launch
O6	Addition of regolith simulant allows for simulation of lunar* radiation environment. *Mars radiation environment is under study

SpinSat Addresses PI Needs

• A  highly cost-effective “standardized” secondary-compatible Class D “Plug-n-Play” platform
• Utilizes standard “open source” U-form factors for experiments
• Allows PI to focus on the experiments and not the spacecraft
• Offers increased flight opportunities for experiments needing the combined microgravity effects from near-0 to 1-g simultaneously, deep space or lunar radiation environments

SpinSat Configurations

SpinSat provides alternate “gravity fields” and payload configurations.

There are two mechanical configurations for SpinSat, Side Mount and In-Line.

Side Mount – Designed to be accommodated on an ESPA Grande stretch ring port.

• 1.5m, 330kg spacecraft, 36 rpm

• 32-48U, configuration dependent

In-Line – Designed to be part of the ESPA ring stack.

• 4.3m, 1225kg spacecraft, 21 rpm
• 96U+ of payload

• Requires separator bands between other rings in the stack

Launch Vehicle Accommodation is Easy

SpinSat can be:

• Launched on a variety of launch vehicles
• Into almost any orbit
• Mounted as an ESPA-port secondary payload
• Provide at least 48 ‘U’ worth of experiments
• Multiple SpinSats on multiple ports
• Cost effective