Abstract: SmallSats appear to have the potential of significantly decreasing the cost and increasing responsiveness of both military and civil space missions. However, there are 3 major barriers facing the large-scale development and deployment of large numbers of...
Abstract: A configuration is presented for a low-cost Micro-Satellite Launch Vehicle (MSLV), the Mini-Sprite. This 3-stage configuration exploits Scorpius® technology that is largely developed: all-composite cryogenic tanks; pressure-fed, ablative, LOX/kerosene...
Abstract: In-flight demonstration of close-range formation flying modes is discussed with emphasis on low cost, based on spacecraft design simplicity and minimum size, and hence minimum launch cost. Piggy-back launch of three identical demonstration spacecraft is the...
Abstract: AttSim is a spacecraft attitude simulator that has been specifically developed to design and verify attitude control concepts and flight software architectures and algorithms. Its primary goal is to provide a generic approach to small satellite attitude...
Abstract: Human lunar colonization has been studied at length, with the broad conclusion that it is technically feasible, but costs far too much. Even assuming a factor of 50 launch cost reduction, traditional models suggest that a lunar colony supporting 1,000 people...
