Workshop 2010
Brown UniversityBarus and Holley Building
ChipSat News
Presentation Slides
The 'Presentations' page lists workshop titles linked to synopses. These synopses contain links to workshop slides.
Workshop Photos
Links to workshop photos on Google have been added. The 'Photos' link takes you to a page of tumbnail images.
New LinkedIn Group 'Chip Scale Spacecraft'
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Brown Daily Herald Article
The Brown University Division of Engineering hosts a full-day workshop on micro-scale satellites entitled “ChipSats.”
February 18, 2010
ChipSat was hosted in Providence, RI by the Brown University Division of Engineering in collaboration with Cornell University, with sponsorship from the NASA Space Grant Consortia of Rhode Island and of New York.
Participating Organizations
Brown UniversityCornell University
Dept of Defense
Draper Laboratory
Lockheed Martin Space Systems
MIT Space Systems Lab
NASA - Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Naval Research Laboratory
Northrop Grumman
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Raytheon
Sandia National Laboratories
Sierra Nevada Corporation
Singularity University
University of Colorado
Univerity of Michigan
University of Strathclyde
USAF/Surrey
Workshop Series
Our previous workshop (November, 2008) focused on dedicated nanosatellite launch vehicles (NLV) where, in a non-commercial academic setting, vehicle experts and nanosatellite mission specialists collaborated on topics of low mass launch to near earth orbit.
For details of the NLV workshop please see our website:
http://www.engin.brown.edu/NLV
ChipSat continues our series of workshops focused on emerging space flight technologies.
This year we invited microcircuit fabrication experts to join with internationally recognized experts in the field of System-on-a-Chip (SoC) space vehicles (literally where the microchip IS the spacecraft).
As with last year's workshop, we again experienced spirited interchanges among those developing hardware technology and those envisioning mission applications.
ChipSat Workshop Background
The past fifteen years have witnessed considerable innovation in spacecraft design. The most surprising of these have arrived in the form of smaller satellites: so-called micro-, nano-, and pico-satellites demonstrating relevant missions undertaken by 10 kg and even 1 kg spacecraft. The responsiveness and low-cost of smaller satellites (not to mention the mission prospects for large clusters of them) often represent benefits that far more massive spacecraft simply cannot match.
Thanks to enthusiastic adoption of the CubeSat standard by DoD sponsors, this roughly 1-3 kg class spacecraft has opened up opportunities for industry and universities to build and launch missions for total costs less than $100k. CubeSat standardization has also led to the creation of entrepreneurial companies providing systems and components with possibilities for further improvement in mission affordability.
ChipSats
Far smaller than CubeSats, in recent years a truly microscale satellite has been proposed made from large wafers that replicate entire spacecraft systems with the potential for significant cost savings, improved interoperability, and easy of manufacturability (University of Surrey).
Smaller still, individual microchip bodies are envisioned that, among other uses, can exploit the physics of dust in the solar system for propellantless propulsion, survive atmospheric reentry due to low ballistic coefficiency, and offer transformative operations concepts (Cornell University).
Research in orbital mechanics related to deep space propulsion via interplanetary physics is now an active, multi-year research activity robustly sponsored by the European Space Agency, although there is no analogous program in the U.S.
Our Response
During our nanosatellite workshop we began to scratch the surface of a greater notion—simply put—How small can we go? And if smaller, what is the value in doing so?
By examining prospects for a satellite perhaps no bigger than a fingernail—a satellite on a chip—the goal this year will be to answer these and other relevant questions.
To this end we invited representatives from government, industry, and academia to discuss the prospects and challenges of chip-scale spacecraft in a frank no-holds-barred examination of key topics.
The Audience is The Investigator
As we facilitated our workshops, organizers sought to stimulate a wide variety of presentations and panel discussions on topics relevant to the central subject of chip-scale spacecraft while avoiding significant overlap.
To
cast our net widely, here are some topical
areas we considered when planning remarks and discussion
points
(though
by no means all that could be considered):
- Where is work on chipsats happening? Who are the players?
- Description of subsystems
that can actually fit
on a chipsat
- Project costs and benefits
versus larger-scale
spacecraft
- Special chipsat design and
fabrication
requirements (if any)
- In-flight spacecraft
performance capabilities
and limitations
- Unique maneuvering and
stabilization
methodologies
- Formation flying - multi-point grid - string of pearls
- Unique missions made
possible -only- with
chipsats
- "Killer app”
missions that might launch a
chipsat
industry
- Science opportunities - near
earth - planetary
- interstellar
- Logistics of thousands -
launch - deployment -
ground control
- Space junk creation
avoidance - is this a real
problem?
- When will we see the first
flight hardware in
space?
- What other points should be covered on this topic?
Morning sessions covered the ground widely while addressing key elements. Afternoon panel discussions focused more on the 'nut and bolt' realities of mission objectives, hardware design, and operations as well as back-filling areas not covered in earlier presentations.
Morning Presentations...
In the morning sessions,
prominent contributors to the field presented 20 minute executive
summaries of their work with
Q&A follow up. Topics will focus broadly on chip-scale
spacecraft in areas such as technical enablers, architectural
concepts, operational logistics, development costs, and potential
missions.
Lunchtime
Poster Session...
Sharpe Refectory Chancellors Dining Room (map)
Participating students
presented a
lunchtime poster session immediately adjacent to the dining room.
Afternoon Panel Discussions...
The afternoon sessions featured
moderated panel discussions
among a
mix of system architects, technology experts, prospective sponsors
(commercial and government) and mission designers, with a strong
emphasis on audience participation.
The first session illuminated technical gaps between
what we can fabricate today and what we still need to development for
chip-scale mission profiles thus far identified.
The second afternoon session brainstormed new space missions
addressing goals that cannot be met with larger systems, or chip-scale
applications that have not yet been envisioned by those unaware of the
technology.
We believe that a critical mass of participation is lost in workshops involving an unlimited number of attendees, and as with our previous workshop, we have limited the total number of participants to 60 (fifty paid and ten students with fees waved. Please see below for student invitation details).
We do not require that you be
an expert in the field of chip-scale
spaceflight. However, we ask that you only register if you plan to
bring something clearly relevant to the discussion.
Online registration will open approximately two months prior to the
workshop, closing shortly beforehand. Provisions will be made
for
walk-in registrations, though we request
that you pre-register online if at all possible since we are
limited in
space and need to plan ahead for meals.
Links are proved on this web page for local travel arrangements and
overnight accommodations.
Fees
Online pre-registration is $195. Walk-in registration is $250.
(Registration fees are waved
for invited students - please see below for details).
The registration fee covers the workshop plus
breakfast and lunch.
No refunds will be possible for
no-shows or those canceling after
the
close of on-line registration.
For questions or concerns about any aspect of workshop registration
please contact us at the email addresses provided on this web
site.
Student
Participation
Student participation is by invitation -- undergrad through PhD
program.
Students do not need to be working specifically in the field of systems on a chip, though we are seeking to invite those with a keen interest. We are also not limiting to a particular academic major, just a sense that our workshop will be of value to you in your academic growth.
If you are a student interested in attending the ChipSat workshop, please ask a faculty member in a related field (aerospace, physics, engineering, etc.) to send us a brief email recommendation.
We will not invite you without a faculty recommendation.
In the event that we receive more than ten student recommendations we will weigh these to ensure a broad representation among colleges and universities.
Student Funding Support
For student participants the registration fee is waved.
Further, travel funding is available from the NASA Space Grant Consortia. Students traveling from institutions located in New York State will be reimbursed by the New York Space Grant. All other traveling students will be funded by the Rhode Island Space Grant.
We will reimburse you for travel fare and one overnight accommodation for a well-planned itinerary within North America. (Beyond this distance, we will offer a sizable subsidy).
The student
registration form mailed to you will request travel and
lodging
estimates, and we will commit to funding based on these
estimates.
Student Travel Funding
Restrictions
for non-US Citizens
Due to restrictions written into grants from NASA, travel funding provided by the NASA Space Grant Consortia is limited to citizens of the United States.
In support of non-US-citizen student travel, a limited amount of funding may be possible. Please describe your travel funding needs and we will let you know if support is available.
In all instances, the registration fee for students is waved.
Student Registration Process
Once we decide to invite you, we will email a registration form to complete, sign and FAX back to us.
There is, at present, no
specific student registration deadline,
though we have only ten slots to fill and early
registration will improve your odds.
You will be considered registered once we have specifically
contacted you with an official confirmation.
For questions or concerns about any aspect of student invitations, travel funding, or registration please contact us at the email addresses provided on this web site.
Student Poster SessionIn exchange for free participation, students are asked to present an academic poster at our lunchtime session on a topic of interest related to space technology or mission applications (not necessarily on the specific topic of microchip vehicles).
Student Recruiting
In addition to informal discussions during breaks and over lunch, organizers recognize the potential for employment opportunities, internships, and other career and academic growth resulting from the workshop setting.
We are supporting this formally in several ways...
Organizers will provide table space for literature and fliers related to student internships and career opportunities.
The Brown University Division of Engineering will set aside private meeting space for interviews -- one of the better opportunities will be the evening before the workshop during our 'Meet and Greet' (Wednesday 5:00pm-7:00pm). Other times can be set aside as well.
If you are a student interested in aerospace engineering or space exploration or represent an organization recruiting in these fields, please contact us and we will keep you informed of recruiting opportunities.
Although helpful with respect to informal contacts, there is no requirement for students to participate in the ChipSat workshop, nor to be a student at Brown University.
Representatives from recruiting organizations must be paid participants of the workshop.
"Swag" Table
A table will be provided for those offering giveaway items representing your organization or any program related to system on a chip.
Please let us know what you have in mind and we'll make sure to leave space for you.
PowerPoint Slide Presentation and Archive
Presenters are asked to bring PPT slides on a flash drive stick (please save as PPT - not PPTX). To limit transition lag between presentations, all slide files will be uploaded to our presentation computer prior to the start of the workshop.Presentation slides uploaded as of the end of the morning sessions will be burned to DVDs to be made available at the close of the workshop to all attendees.
A permanent copy of slides will be hosted on this website for future reference.
If presenters have concerns about slide publication - please contact us prior to the workshop.
ITAR
Workshop speakers and attendees are reminded that some topics discussed in the workshop could be controlled by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
US Nationals, which are US Citizens and Green Card Holders, are responsible for ensuring that technical data they disclose to non-US Nationals in attendance is not export restricted by the ITAR.
Non-US Nationals are likewise responsible for ensuring that they do not disclose ITAR export restricted information to other non-US Nationals in attendance.
Website Updates
We will endeavor to maintain this site as accurately as possible. Other than actual paid registration, nothing written on this site or elsewhere (accurately or otherwise) constitutes a contractual agreement or offer.