VACCO’s Propulsion System Controller Module is optimized for SmallSats and CubeSats. It is fully redundant with separate primary and redundant controllers that work independently and are completely isolated from each other. Each controller includes advanced drivers for Thruster Valves, Latch Valves and Heaters.
The controller is compatible with both blowdown systems and pressure regulated systems. The electronic hardware design is capable of facilitating control of series / parallel redundant electronic pressure regulators. This includes the control of digital pulse-width-modulated control valves. Flight-proven software and valves are readily available to support this option.
This radiation tolerant module heavily leverages components with flight heritage and TID and SEE testing to provide a robust controller package. The aluminum housing can easily be customized to provide additional radiation shielding. The design is flight proven from LEO (NanoACE) to Mars (MarCO) and beyond. The latest redundant controller design is built to withstand the radiation environment of GEO for 5 years.
Each Of The Two Redundant Controllers Includes:
- 10 valve drivers with automatic stepdown voltage
- 10 Heater Drivers
- 4 Thermistors & 10 Thermocouples
- Closed loop temperature control
- 3 pressure sensor inputs
- Auxiliary analog inputs
- RS-422, full duplex data interface
- Heath Monitoring transmitted at 10 Hz
- 10Hz command rate
- Firing command response within 5ms
- Firing time resolution to 1ms
- Passed radiation testing at 22 kRAD and 200 MeV protons (tested without shielding)
- Built-in radiation sensors: 0-2kRAD and 0-13kRAD LEO and two MarCO units flown by Mars. Radiation test heritage includes 22kRAD TID and high energy 200 MeV proton SEE tests
- Latch valve position sensing
- Sofisticated Software
