Space Technologies

Aurora’s history with space projects dates back to extensive work on the MarsFlyer aircraft for flight in the atmosphere of Mars. With the acquisition of Payload Systems Incorporated in 2007, Aurora further bolstered its space portfolio, including the unique SPHERES on-orbit testbed. Payload and Aurora spaceflight systems have performed successfully — without a single unrecoverable failure on orbit — on more than two-dozen missions on free-flyers, the Space Shuttle, Spacelab, the International Space Station, and the Russian Mir space station.

Synchronized Position Hold, Engage & Reorient Experiment Satellites (SPHERES)

The SPHERES project is a collaborative effort with the MIT Space Systems Laboratory to develop and operate a testbed for satellite formation flight on the International Space Station. The SPHERES system consists of three self-contained satellites, each with battery power, a cold gas propulsion system, and onboard communications and navigation equipment. Using Ultrasound transmitter beacons in a designated arrangement aboard ISS, the satellites individually measure their respective positions and attitudes in relation to one other and to the defined volume. SPHERES provides a unique opportunity for researchers on the ground to test control algorithms in the microgravity environment of space, receive testing data, then refine and uplink new algorithms in a relatively short period of time, thus contributing to an accelerated iterative process unavailable in other testing environments.

Positive Pressure Relief Valve (PPRV)

An overpressure condition (for example, from a gas container leaking during launch) in any sealed ISS module would be potentially catastrophic for the modules. PPRV’s protect the structural integrity of the module during the launch phase by venting overboard when the internal module pressure rises above a preset value. Prior to launch, the PPRV’s are installed on the end-caps of ISS modules; following initial on-orbit activities, they are subsequently replaced with manual Pressure Equalization Valves and returned to earth for reuse. We also refurbish and re-certify used valves as they are deinstalled and returned to Earth. PPRV’s are installed on all US and Japanese ISS modules.
Aurora is currently under contract to Thales Alenia Space Italia to supply PPRV flight sets for use on COTS commercial cargo modules for launch to the International Space Station.

Chip-Scale Atomic Clock (CSAC)

The CSAC program is a DARPA MTO project to develop ultraminiaturized, low-power, atomic time and frequency reference units. In order to make these devices viable candidates that can be considered in the design of future space systems, it is necessary for their performance to be demonstrated in the relevant environment. The joint Aurora/MIT Synchronized Position Hold Engage Re-orient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) testbed, presently on-board the International Space Station, is a facility that can be used to perform this demonstration, quickly and at low cost. Each SPHERE satellite has an expansion port which allows hardware to be attached and controlled using the existing SPHERES command and control software.
The objective of the CSAC-SPEHRES work is to demonstrate the operation and performance of CSAC in a microgravity environment by fabricating, testing, integrating, and flying CSAC onboard ISS while attached to the expansion port of a SPHERE satellite.

Low–design-Impact Inspection Vehicle (LIIVe)

Very close autonomous proximity operations with a host spacecraft is an enabling ability for many kinds of space missions, including orbital debris disposal, spacecraft inspection, servicing, and space situational awareness (SSA). Such operations have, however, never been demonstrated on orbit. NRL’s Low–design-Impact Inspection Vehicle (LIIVe) program is developing the sensors, algorithms, and concepts of operations (ConOps) necessary to safely operate a small inspection vehicle at single–meter distances from a host spacecraft. LIIVe is based on MIT’s SPHERES vehicle, to which it adds an expansion board with cameras, lighting, and a powerful flight processor. In preparation for a full orbital demonstration, NRL proposes to fly the LIIVe expansion board to ISS and use it to demonstrate a SPHERES vehicle flying autonomously through the interior of the space station.

Synthetic Imaging Maneuver Optimization (SIMO)

Space-based interferometry missions have the potential to revolutionize imaging and astrometry, providing observations of unprecedented accuracy. Realizing the full potential of these interferometers poses several significant technological challenges. SIMO will develop a methodology, calibrated through hardware-in-the-loop testing, to optimize spacecraft maneuvers to more efficiently synthesize images for space-based astronomy missions such as Stellar Imager. Time and fuel-optimal maneuvers, maneuver waypoints (number and location), number of spacecraft, the size of the sub-apertures, and the type of propulsion system will be modeled and comprehensively traded. Selected architectures will be tested using the SPHERES test bed augmented with custom designed instrumentation.

Self-Assembling Wireless Autonomous Reconfigurable Modules (SWARM)

SWARM was a NASA Phase 2 project, sponsored by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and done in collaboration with the MIT Space Systems Laboratory to enable modular fabrication and in-space robotic assembly of large-scale systems. This project uses maneuverable spacecraft (space tugs) to dock with modular components of a space system, maneuver them relative with other components, assist in docking, and thereby build large structures and platforms.

White Blood Cell Counter

Aurora is developing a miniaturized portable white blood cell counting system for astronaut research and diagnostics in space. Currently, NASA does not this on-orbit capability. The device uses a MEMS-based technology in which an array of white blood cell-specific antibodies are immobilized on small gold-coated membranes. When blood flows across the membranes, specific cells’ surface protein antigens bind to their corresponding antibodies. This binding can be measured and correlated to cell counts.
Currently in its Phase 2 period, Aurora, teamed with Draper Laboratory, is developing a benchtop prototype of the device, including the software and electronics required for the autonomous control system, and the microfluidic delivery subsystem. Because this miniaturized technology requires minimal blood sample preparation and minimal power, it will be useful for both spaceflight and terrestrial applications, including disadvantaged or constrained environments.