Periodic Reporting for period 1 - NG-EGSE (Next Generation Modular EGSE Architecture)
Período documentado: 2019-02-01 hasta 2019-07-31
Current testbench/EGSE solutions are hardly reusable & very costly, usually being custom developed for each mission/spacecraft. As such they lead to increased costs, both in terms of equipment but also in terms of integration cycles’ duration.
The main objective of the next generation modular EGSE architecture (NG-EGSE) project is the development of modular EGSE blocks that will be easily re-configurable and reusable for various purposes.
The final result of the project shall be competitive products with significant added value in the market of EGSEs. The main advantage in a potential funding of this project is the drastic reduction of the non-recurring costs for EGSEs and as a result the creation of low-cost, innovative and competitive products.
• EGSE equipment costs should be reduced by at least 40%.
• EGSE elements should be able to be re-used without expensive modification.
• EGSE integration cycle duration should be optimized.
• On-ground AIT activities have to be optimized and the operational conditions of the AIT technical teams should be increased.
• Establishment of Central Control for on-site and off-site AIT test campaigns.
• Failure identification and repairing during specific critical periods should be less than 48 hours.
The relevant analysis has concluded to the definition of the NG-EGSE approach, which is based on the following axes:
• Development of reusable modular building blocks for EGSE interfaces.
• Establishment of a single Central Control System able to operate satellites during the AIT phases.
• Provision of a Big Data Infrastructure for de-centralised test data storage, processing and retrieval.
The work performed includes a feasibility study and the definition of the business plan for the Next Generation Modular EGSE products.
Space AIT/AIV process is a major cost and time factor, which can greatly be improved by Space 4.0 concepts. The NG-EGSE project directly contributes to this new forthcoming era of space engineering; NG-EGSE proposes modular EGSE blocks, offering the scalability required with simpler integration and testing. The validation of satellite/spacecraft components through the NG-EGSE products will directly contribute to reduced cost, planning and mission success risks. The NG-EGSE project will open-up new markets by boosting the development of new low-cost EGSE products in order to meet the substantial demand for lower development and integration costs.