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The Aerospace Ground Systems Laboratory
Innovators of Computing Solutions for National Security Space
The Aerospace Ground Systems Laboratory (GSL) in Chantilly, Virginia, has provided numerous government customers with invaluable, hands-on expertise for all aspects of ground system software and computing architecting, design, development, testing, and operations since 2003. These customers include the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, the National Reconnaissance Office, NASA, and the newly formed DOD Operationally Responsive Space Office.
The GSL offers concept exploration and independent verification and validation of new ground system architectures for satellite command and control, mission planning, signal processing, mission data processing and distribution, and information operations. Aerospace employees supporting the GSL provide analysis, development, and independent assessments using the latest in information technology to support government acquisition decisions.
Quick prototypes in particular are often instrumental in answering specific technical questions that arise for the government during the planning and acquisition process. For example, during 2008–2009, the GSL has supported prototypes for the application of Web 2.0, computer virtualization, mobile computing, and service-oriented architecture techniques and technologies.
The GSL typically uses the latest in information technology hardware and software tools from multiple unclassified and classified networks to develop these prototypes and concepts, which are designed to meet unique customer requirements. The work includes analyzing and testing government-developed software systems and investigating the application of commercial technologies and products to address mission-critical government requirements.
The GSL is part of the Aerospace Engineering and Technology Group, Computers and Software Division, and offers the dedicated resources needed to provide the U.S. Government with the critical expertise in ground software and computer engineering that can only come from hands-on experience in a laboratory. National security space organizations across the government have effectively used Aerospace GSL capabilities to support current and future space ground system acquisitions.
New Titles from The Aerospace Press
Small Satellites: Past, Present, and Future
Henry Helvajian and Siegfried W. Janson, editors
The first book to describe the state of the art in microsats, nanosats, picosats, and CubeSats—and the possible missions they can perform.
More than two dozen internationally renowned contributors provide 50 years of historical context and a comprehensive overview of small satellite technologies, missions, and architectures, allowing the reader to learn how various small satellites are designed, fabricated, and flown. New types of space architectures, missions, and satellite designs are presented, including the use of mass-produced small satellites in large constellations and local clusters. Readers will also learn about new materials and cost-effective manufacturing techniques for mass-customizable small satellites.
Topics include the Clementine, Mini AERCam, SNAP-1, MOST, Proba, INDEX, and TUBSAT missions; the Air Force Academy, Naval Academy, and Naval Postgraduate School satellite programs; the role of AMSAT; the legacy of MicroStar; the history of small satellites; the origins of CubeSat; co-orbital assistants; the Aerospace PicoSat, MEPSI, and AeroCube missions; and technology development for formation flight, tracking, networking, mass production, and spacecraft operations.
Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries: Principles and Practice
Albert H. Zimmerman
Nickel-hydrogen cells provide one of the longest-lived and most reliable rechargeable battery systems ever developed. Widely used in space power systems, they are generally considered well worth the cost because of their exceptionally long life. This book provides an in-depth view of nickel-hydrogen cell technology: how it was developed, how and why it works, how to get the most from it, and what can go wrong if it is not properly managed.
The book is organized into three parts that provide a balanced picture of the development, principles of operation, and key concerns regarding the use of nickel-hydrogen technology in satellite power systems. Part I provides an overview and historical discussion of the technology, along with a summary of key performance traits. Part II explores fundamental principles, and includes chapters on the nickel electrode, the separator, the hydrogen electrode, and various performance models. Part III focuses on the application and practice of using nickel-hydrogen technology, and addresses issues such as charge management and thermal control. Also included in this section are chapters on various degradation and failure modes and on methods that have been developed for analyzing cells to deduce why they eventually fail.
