OpenSAT, a framework for satellite design automation for responsive space

Satellite design encompasses a multitude of steps from concept to flight. Mission specifications to flight can take several years, depending on the scope, requirements and budget of the mission. A key requirement of the Air Force’s responsive space program is the capability to assemble, test, and launch a satellite within days, or even hours, versus the years of a battlefield Commander’s request. An operationally responsive space capability, such as this, will provide our forces with an advantage in future conflicts. The Commander will be able to rapidly deploy tailored space assets to strategic orbits. Currently, this capability does not exist. During Phase I Red Canyon Software (RCS) began development of our innovative Satellite Design Automation architecture SATBuilder™, in conjunction with our OpenSAT™ open architecture. OpenSAT integrates existing detail design tools with SATBuilder™, as well as databases tracking requirements, PnP components in inventory, mission data and the results of analysis with the final configuration of the satellite. During Phase II RCS will implement the customer requirements capture system, the requirement management system, the Link Analysis and Propulsion design modules, and RCS will update and modify the OpenSAT database to meet the needs of the Responsive Space and PnP Sat team members.