NASA Selects Orbital Reef to Develop Space Station Replacement

December 2, 2021 – Orbital Reef, led by partners Blue Origin and Sierra Space, was selected today by NASA for a funded Space Act Agreement for collaboration to design a commercially owned and operated space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program aims to shift NASA’s research and exploration activities in LEO to commercial space stations, helping stimulate a growing space economy before the International Space Station is retired. The Orbital Reef team includes Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University.

Genesis provides the Single-Person Spacecraft for Blue Origin Winning Commercial Space Station Team.

December 2, 2021 – Orbital Reef, led by partners Blue Origin and Sierra Space, was selected today by NASA for a funded Space Act Agreement for collaboration to design a commercially owned and operated space station in low Earth orbit (LEO). NASA’s Commercial LEO Development program aims to shift NASA’s research and exploration activities in LEO to commercial space stations, helping stimulate a growing space economy before the International Space Station is retired. The Orbital Reef team includes Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University.

GENSAT-1

Genesis Satellite - 1

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

GenSat-1 is a small satellite designed to carry two scientific payloads into polar orbit. The satellite will be collecting data on space weather using a fluxgate magnetometer provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Also, in collaboration with GSFC and Kansas University the satellite carries a sensor for measuring solar proton events. 

Genesis is responsible for building, integrating, testing, and operating the satellite from the Genesis Maryland facility using our newly constructed ground control center.

Orbit and Instruments

GES Mission Control Center

Launch Vehicle Virgin Orbit Launcher One

Orbit and Instruments 02
GenSat1_Gold
Gold_GenSat
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LISA

Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

LISA is a space-based gravitational wave observatory building on the success of LISA Pathfinder and LIGO.
Led by ESA, the LISA mission is a collaboration of ESA, NASA, and an international consortium of scientists.

Laser Interferometer Space Antenna

GENESIS INVOLVEMENT

— Optical Analysis 

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SPS

Single Person Spacecraft

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

The Single Person Spacecraft (SPS) is an example of our ongoing investment in R&D. The SPS provides a unique alternative to the concept of a spacesuit. When extra-vehicular activity (EVA) in space has required an astronaut with spacesuit there are inherent challenges. The SPS has advantages for both the astronaut and the overall activities that need to be accomplished.

DETAILS

Designed for servicing / exploration of ISS, NEOs and satellites. It can be piloted or tele-operated. Using the same atmosphere as the host vehicle it provides immediate access to space without pre-breathing or airlock. Integral propulsion enables rapid transport to the work site. It is sized to for all crew members providing “shirt sleeve” operations of conventional displays and controls.

Neutral Buoyancy Testing

Crew Enclosure Demonstration Test Article

Discovery Channel

See the Discovery Channel highlight of the SPS for the show Daily Planet.

PUBLICATIONS

Benefits of a Single-Person Spacecraft

Single-Person Spacecraft favored for Gateway EVA

Single-Person Spacecraft, Progress toward Flight Testing

COLLABORATIONS

AMRO, El Monte, CA

United Space and Rocket Center, Huntsville, AL

SRI International, Menlo Park, CA

Paragon Space Development Corporation, Tucson, AZ

Shields, Martinsville, IN

Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems

Design Force

METECS

TriVector Services Inc.

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JWST – IEC

James Webb Space Telescope Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) Electronics Compartment (IEC)
JWST NASA ES CSA logo
ISIM Electronics Compartment (IEC) logo

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

JWST-IEC mirrors and shields opening
IEC is located behind the mirrors in the bottom boxed section.
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OVERVIEW

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an orbiting infrared observatory that will take the place of the Hubble Space Telescope at the end of its mission. Genesis Engineering Solutions was contracted to develop the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) Electronics Compartment (IEC) also knows as Region 2 of the JWST. This involves developing a light weight composite structure with optical reflective louver systems; this heat emitting system functions as a state-of-the-art radiator for space application.

The goal of the JWST is to study the universe at the important but previously unobserved epoch of galaxy formation. It will peer through dust to witness the birth of stars and planetary systems similar to our own. Utilizing JWST, scientists hope to get a better understanding of the intriguing dark matter problem. JWST is also a key element in NASA’s Origins Program.

Diagram of JWST and the cold side and hot side

GENESIS INVOLVEMENT

Products:

— Composite Structures
— Thermal Blanketing
— Harness, Cabling, Routing
— Ground Support Equipment

Services:

— Design
— Analysis (Thermal & Structural)
— Fabrication and Integration
— Project Management

Facilities:

— Genesis’ Integration Space and Class 10 Cleanroom
— Composite Fabrication Facility

Highlights:

— Design, Manufacture, Integration, Test, and Support for Region 2 of the telescope
— Composite shell design houses the telescope electronics
— Innovative optical reflective louver design made of composite materials
— Thermal system incorporates critical heat-emitting solution

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GEDI

Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

The Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) lidar will reveal the 3-D architecture of forests. The unprecedented detail of these measurements will provide crucial information about the impact that trees have on the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.

GENESIS INVOLVEMENT

In addition to providing general engineering expertise, our activity and support for the GEDI project includes:

— Assisting with the design, configuration and maintenance of the GEDI laser and BDU experimental setups and build facilities

— Performing incoming acceptance inspections of ETU and flight parts for the laser and BDU

— Assisting as needed with design changes to the laser and BDU systems

— Writing and carrying out flight level procedures and work orders

— Supporting the assembly of the laser and BDU systems

— Logistics assistance on the GEDI laser and BDU including manufacturing process flow, parts tracking and delivery

— Documenting work performed in reports and presentations

— Thermal Blankets

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MUSTANG

Modular Unified Space Technology Avionics for Next Generation

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

Goddard Space Flight Center’s new generation of spacecraft control electronics and science Instrument Data Processing Unit (IDPU) electronics design is nearly complete.

GENESIS INVOLVEMENT

— OCI Optical Analysis 
— Printed Wiring Board Design
— Electrical / FPGA Design
— Integration & Test
— Hardware Procurement
— PWA Manufacturing

DETAILS

Modular Unified Space Technology Avionics for Next Generation (MUSTANG), also known as MMS Derived Avionics (MDA), was developed using GSFC internal funds and funds from the Goddard Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission. It is baselined for PACE, the Goddard Ocean Color Instrument (OCI), the Goddard Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) Power Controller Unit, and the JPL Multi-Angle Imager for Aerosols (MAIA) Instrument Electronics. The designs, although not the form factor, for the processor, comm card, low voltage power supply, power monitor card, solar array module, segment module, heater module, and engine valve driver have been adopted by the WFIRST project. The Goddard team has worked closely with key Goddard contractors, such as Genesis Engineering, who supported the design and manufacture of a number the MUSTANG cards.

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OCI PACE

Ocean Color Instrument - Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem

GENSAT-1
JWST – IEC
LISA
Mustang
OCI Pace
OSAM 1
RST
SPS
Orbital Reef

AESMIR
Astro-H
Astro Courier
ATLAS
CATS
GEDI
HST (Hubble)
LCRD

OVERVIEW

Measuring the color of the ocean provides important information about the health of the Earth’s oceans. The ocean is composed of many different substances which can contribute to the scattering of light at different wavelengths. One important substance is phytoplankton (marine based algae) which contributes to the greenish color of the ocean and is used to monitor and is an important sink for carbon dioxide.

GENESIS INVOLVEMENT

OCI Optical Analysis

We are supporting the OCI (Ocean Color Instrument) by working in the analysis of the OCI optical system. Stray light can interfere with the quality of the OCI measurements by affecting its accuracy. Stray light analysis helps to ensure that the OCI is measuring what it intends to and that most of the errant light entering the optical system is blocked by the detector. Optical tolerancing analysis provides an overall uncertainty budget in the optical systems ensuring that the instrument will meet its goals.

OCI Thermal Radiator

We are supporting the OCI by working in the analysis of the OCI optical system. Stray light can interfere with the quality of the OCI measurements by affecting its accuracy. Stray light analysis helps to ensure that the OCI is measuring what it intends to and that most of the errant light entering the optical system is blocked by the detector. Optical tolerancing analysis provides an overall uncertainty budget in the optical systems ensuring that the instrument will meet its goals.

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