Deep space one basebody control: validating the data path from computer to thruster

The Deep Space One Project is the first advanced technology validation mission that is part of the New Millennium Program sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and it's industry partner for this endeavor, Spectrum Astro, Inc., are working together with a number of select integrated product development teams, and are tasked with the design, development, and inflight validation of a chosen suite of advanced technologies. To verify proper spacecraft function and performance prior to actual launch and in-flight operations, the spacecraft must be subjected to a battery of tests at the assembly, subsystem, and system levels. One facility where much of this testing will be performed is the Flight System Testbed for Deep Space One (FST/DSI). The FST/DSI is comprised of flight software test stations and a main integration and test station called the DSI Testbed. The latter will assist in providing the necessary visibility to verify and validate the spacecraft avionics systems. One of the key functions of the spacecraft is to provide basebody attitude control to ensure proper spacecraft orientation to adhere to thermal and sun viewing constraints, maintain earth communications, and perform trajectory correction maneuvers. This paper 'traces' the data path from the computer to the thrusters themselves to illustrate the test and validation process.