Multi-Purpose Satellite Bus

This paper presents design considerations of a Multi-Purpose Satellite bus (MPS). The project was sponsored by the NASA Universities Space Research Association (USRA) Advanced Design Program. A multi-purpose satellite bus was selected as the study topic from a Statement-of-Work generated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The estimated beginning-of-life weight of the MPS bus is 150 kg. A detailed analysis with two dissimilar payloads (a meteorological payload and a communication payload), both having a three year life, demonstrates the flexibility of the bus. The MPS bus was designed to mate with the Pegasus Air Launched Vehicle and the Taurus Standard Small Launch Vehicle. The satellite bus design is presented with emphasis on configuration requirements due to the dissimilar mission demands.