LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation1 The High Altitude Student Platform (HASP) for Student-Built Payloads T.G. Guzik and J.P. Wefel Dept. of Physics & Astronomy Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA U.S.A.

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation2 Student-Built Payload Limitations Many higher education institutions across U.S. are engaging students in design, construction and operation of aerospace payloads (See ACES presentation, this conference) –Small payloads launched on sounding balloons –Compact Earth-orbiting satellites Development life cycle needs to be limited to one year to conform with student schedule –Feasible with small sounding balloon payloads –Difficult for satellites where launch schedule is uncertain, but could be flight tested on a balloon

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation3 Sounding Balloon Limitations Sounding balloons have limited “hang time” –Total flight time about 2 ½ hours –Time above 24 km about ½ hour Inappropriate for testing student-built satellites or new technologies –At most only cursory evaluation of power, data acquisition & telemetry subsystems –No test of day-night thermal cycling

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation4 HASP Addresses These Issues Support & flight test multiple student built payloads –Altitude > 36 km, duration of ~20 hours Make use of NASA National Scientific Balloon Facility (NSBF) experience Provide standard power, data, mechanical interface Use CubeSat model for design –Developed by Stanford and CalPoly –Size is 10 cm cube –Max weight is 1 kg –Power is ~650 mW

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation5 Configuration & Structure Core aluminum frame provides platform integrity –Mounting for flight data / control systems –Attachment for swivel harness and ballast hopper –Composite braces to support student payloads

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation6 Concept Student Payload Interface Mounting plate consistent with CubeSat model –Held at corner beams so faces are unobstructed –Mounting plate includes power & data interface –Can be sent to institution for pre- integration Alternate mounting is also possible –Specify hole pattern on support braces –Heavier payloads could be mounted on top of Al structure ICD determined during student payload application

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation7 Weight & Size HASP dimensions –Core frame is 112 cm (44”) by 91.5 cm (36”) by 51 cm (20”) tall –Student payload braces extend 112 cm away from frame –Total dimensions are, thus, ~3.4 m x 3.2 m x 0.5 m Weight determined mostly by measured values –Total is 211 kg (465 lbs) HASP Weight Budget ComponentWeight (kg) Fight Control Unit2.3 Data Archive Unit2.3 FCU, DAU Vessel18.1 Data Hard Disk9.1 Auxiliary XTM2.3 Student Payloads8.2 Cabling13.6 Thermal Insulation13.6 Batteries9.1 Structure68.9 CIP27.2 Contingency36.3 Total211

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation8 Command and Control Heritage from ATIC scientific balloon payload systems –Directly adopt flight proven hardware and software design Flight Control Unit (FCU) –Handles commands –Monitors power system –Serial link with payloads –Collects status information Data Archive Unit (DAU) –On-board data recording –LOS transmission of HASP & student payload data to ground at rate up to ~ 300 kilobits per second NSBF supplied CIP controls balloon systems

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation9 FCU Hardware Flight Control Unit front (left) and back (right) flown on the ATIC-02 experiment from December 29, 2002 to January 18, 2003

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation10 DAU Hardware Data Archive Unit (left) and Hard Disk Pressure Vessel (right) flown on the ATIC-02 experiment from December 29, 2002 to January 18, 2003

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation11 Power System Route 28V buss and convert power locally Power budget from measured values & includes an 80% efficiency factor 24 hour lifetime with two 10 cell lithium battery packs HASP Power Budget ComponentVAW FCU DAU Aux XTM Data Disk Student Payloads Total69.7

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation12 Anticipated Flight Operations Flight Ops take place at NSBF or Ft. Sumner Initially HASP is setup & integrated with NSBF systems Student payload integration & testing follows Launch tries to target “turn-around” conditions

LSU 06/23/04COSPAR 2004, HASP Presentation13 Summary The High Altitude Student Platform supports advanced student- built payloads –Regular schedule of launches at least once per year –Provide high altitude (~36 km) and reasonable duration (~15 to 20 hours) –Flight test student-built satellite –Fly payloads too heavy for sounding balloons Existing flight designs and experience minimize cost of development and operation –Hardware / software from flight proven ATIC payload –Use time-tested NSBF balloon vehicle hardware –Capitalize on decades of NSBF experience with flight operations Could be easily adapted for LDB (~15 – 30 days) flights Could become major part of Aerospace Workforce Development