Multi-Platform Small Satellite Dynamics Testbed

The Small Satellite Dynamics Testbed (SSDT) at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) is a facility dedicated to the verification and validation of small satellite guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) hardware and software. The combination of the SSDT with NASA JPL’s Formation Control Testbed (FCT) provides a testbed for close-proximity operations between small satellites and larger, traditional spacecraft. Previously, the SSDT housed a single thrusting air-bearing platform that affords position control on a planar surface and rotational control about the axis perpendicular to the translation plane. This work outlines the design modifications to the previous air-bearing platform and implements the design to two planar air-bearing platforms. The extension to two planar air-bearing platforms enables testing of close-proximity operations between two small satellites. This work on the SSDT platforms may be combined with the capabilities of the FCT’s larger thrusting planar air bearings to produce a multi-platform testbed for close proximity operations between multiple small satellites and multiple traditional satellites. Consequently, this work fundamentally transforms the capabilities of the SSDT to enable multi-platform research and development.