SPARC-1: A joint US/Sweden multi-mission modular nanosatellite platform

A 6U-format Space Plug-and-play Architecture (SPA) Research Cubesat (SPARC) is being developed as a joint program between the US and Sweden to explore the potential of modular, miniature avionics to empower spacecraft with for useful military applications. SPARC-1 is intended to represent a step towards rapidly composable and service oriented spacecraft networks. Consistent with the plug-and-play model of the personal computer, the aspiration of the SPARC series (and the broader umbrella of research being done between the US and Sweden in the Nanosatellite And Plug-and-play Architecture or “NAPA” program) is to pioneer a methodology for creating mission capable 6U spacecraft. The methodology involves interchangeable blackbox (selfdescribing) components, software (middleware and applications), advanced push-button tools supporting accelerated design flows, and elements of ground systems architecture capable of working fluidly with networks of potentially hundreds of these platforms. The NAPA agreement is studying a variety of mission concepts that lend themselves to a “painlessly scalable” paradigm in which small numbers of platforms (as few as one) can achieve a useful “quantum” of some mission performance but are improved as quantities are increased. In this view, inspired by statistical mechanics concepts such as percolation and random networks, we believe it will be possible to make missions that are robust (tolerant to occasional dropouts of multiple platforms) and useful. In the agreement, the US/Sweden collaborative team will be studying concepts as diverse as mesh communication networks, synthetic aperture radar, combat search and rescue, blue force tracking, space situation awareness, and potentially other militarily relevant roles. This agreement will also examine the “kinetics” of rapid mission formation, following earlier studies of plug-and-play satellites. In this paper, we review the NAPA program and the supporting technologies under development, emphasizing the first experimental satellite that embodies a number of these key concepts.