Integration and Orbit Demonstration of Micro-Satellite Payload System Based on a Plug-and-Play On-Board Computer

Abstract

An international scientific micro-satellite named RISESAT (Rapid International Scientific Experiment Satellite) was launched on January 18th, 2019 on the Epsilon rocket. The main objective of RISESAT is Earth observation and technology demonstration. RISESAT carries six international scientific payloads from Taiwan, Czech Republic, and Japan. For controlling all payload instruments, an on-board payload handling computer named Science Handling Unit (SHU) was developed based on Space Plug-and-Play Avionics (SPA). In order to connect with the SHU, each payload is equipped with a Micro Remote Terminal Unit (μRTU), which converts the payload to a SPA-compliant component. Therefore, the hardware interface from the payloads to the SHU is standardized and payloads can be connected to an arbitrary connector of the SHU. This way of integration can also be applied to the rest of the on-board avionics in the future and has the potential to make the system integration of satellite easier. The soundness of the functional performance of the developed plug-and-play system, as well as the concept of system integration have been verified through ground electrical tests and orbit operation of RISESAT.