S. Massa
Ecoatoms,
Keywords:
Payload integration presents significant challenges for mission designers and engineers. Developing a new experiment, such as advanced biological assays or sensor arrays, invariably necessitates redesigning electrical interfaces, including custom wiring, power regulation, and communication protocols. This process consumes substantial engineering and monetary resources. Moreover, transitioning payloads between vehicles, from suborbital platforms to lunar spacecrafts, requires extensive adaptations to the different launch providers, often escalating budgets and doubling mission costs. These inefficiencies delay schedules, increase risks, and hinder scientific innovation across diverse operational environments. Ecoatoms' Apparatus for Nominal Integration with Minimal Adaptations (A.N.I.M.A.) addresses these issues through a modular three-part system: a universal connector harness for electrical connectivity, and a high-performance onboard computer (OBC) and a universal software for mission and experimental events. Engineered for seamless compatibility with over 20 space vehicles, A.N.I.M.A. streamlines transitions from suborbital to lunar environments, reducing engineering overhead and accelerating deployment. The system's dual-mode architecture enhances versatility. Passthrough mode supports mature payloads for advanced users. Plug-n-Play mode facilitates non-aerospace applications, such as biological or educational experiments, via a code-less graphical interface for peripherals like sensors, cameras, and actuators, offering real-time telemetry. By minimizing adaptations, A.N.I.M.A. enables cost-effective, reliable missions, fostering innovation in commercial, defense, and academic sectors.