Italian Space Agency perspective on Small Satellites Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) CIRA 10 February 2016 Technology and Engineering Division G. Varacalli
Outline National and global scenario Challenges and opportunities Enabling factors ASI PLATiNO initiative Conclusions
National scenario Italy is, from the beginning of the space era, one of the main world players, through a wide range of capabilities including space infrastructures, enabling technologies, ground systems, launchers, robotics exploration missions and human spaceflight.
Global trends Constant growth of launches in the small/micro satellite class Affordable for new international players From University to Government and Commercial use Enabler for new application concepts 1 to 100Kg class New Space approach Inclusion of Users not familiar with space technology, focused only on information (can be in situ, UAV, space ) Big Data technologies able to exploit the information flood Powerful investors to seed new commercial manufacturing industry Close integration upstream - downstream
Enabling factors 1/2 On-board Technologies Electric propulsion Miniaturization Power Generation Use of COTS
Enabling factors 2/2 Access to space New commercial players Multiple launch opportunities Advanced concepts Debris mitigation compliance Manufacturing and Product Assurance approach Production line model Revision of applicable space standards Distributed (system) vs. traditional spacecraft reliability
PLATiNO: Small Satellites ASI initiative..in response to the rapid growth of the interest in using small spacecrafts for many types of missions in Earth orbit and beyond, ASI supports an Italian technological roadmap enabling the development of a new generation of small, modular, multipurpose and competitive platforms at international level, representing an excellent opportunity for testing new spacecraft technologies Objectives: 1. Develop in the short-term an autonomous national capability to realize applicative and scientific missions through the use of a multipurpose mini satellite platform 2. Identify and support, in the middle-term, the national development of new subsystems/units/components technologies in order to enable a real breakthrough for the mini-satellite class capability
PLATiNO initiative: advantages Advantages and opportunities vs. large missions : Rapid development and start of operations Low manufacturing and customization costs Multiple launch and piggy back opportunities Competitiveness factors: Industrial capability enhancement Services development for commercial and institutional opportunities Long term perspectives: Fractionated mission architectures in terms of reliability, distributed payloads, reconfigurable missions In orbit servicing
PLATiNO Program activities Phase 0 (pre-feasibility study): performed - June 2015 Phase A: competitive industrial tender in progress to be concluded in Q3 2016 Development Phase and mission selection: end 2016 1 st Mission: launch within 3y 2 nd Mission: launch within 5y
Conclusions The global trend in the space business confirms a new promising market sector dominated by the use of constellation of small satellites, thanks to the technology advancements and the presence of new players The Italian space industry has a long track record of success, from ground to space segment and from telecommunications to earth observation, thus with a potential to play a remarkable role in this new space arena ASI started a dedicated initiative PLATiNO - in order to support the development and the competitiveness at international level in the minisatellite segment The PLATiNO initiative, aiming at consolidate a complete industrial chain, spans from the technology roadmap support to the final prototype missions development within 3 and 5 years