Changing Satellite Morphology through Cellularization

For 50 years the morphology or internal makeup of satellites has not fundamentally changed. Major systems and subsystems are combined in the same way whether in the Hubble Space Telescope, a large geostationary communications satellite, or today's Cubesats. The size of elements, components and subsystems may change to accommodate the final satellite, but the fundamental makeup of spacecraft resources of power, propulsion, attitude control, etc. is no different. Today mass has become a proxy in the search for lower cost solutions to accommodate shrinking budgets, but that comes with a requisite consequent exchange of performance. The historical equation of cost as a direct function of mass drives this solution. However, what if this cost-mass-performance equation can be broken? What if these limitations in performance associated with size could be ameliorated or even avoided by the aggregation of elements? And, what if the aggregation could be done on orbit? DARPA's Phoenix program is examining the feasibility of a new construct in "building" satellites through the precept of cellularization. The Phoenix program proposes to tackle both the cost=f(mass) historical models and the fundamental morphology of a spacecraft. Phoenix is exploring mechanical and electrical aggregation of “satlets” on-orbit to create the necessary spacecraft performance to support the "payload" of any potential size, mass or configuration. Critical to the Phoenix program, this "satlet" is the first incarnation of a producible "cell", which mimics traits found in single/multi-cell organisms in biology. This paper will delve into the details on how the aggregation of a new technology construct of “satlets” could change today’s satellites cost calculus and may allow on-orbit satellite repurposing and new construction methodology at a small fraction of current cost.