A systems analysis and project management plan for the Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT)

Abstract

The Petite Amateur Navy Satellite (PANSAT) is a communications satellite being developed at the Naval Postgraduate School by the Space Systems Academic Group. This thesis is the result of an investigation into all aspects of the project. Research, analyses, and recommendations were concentrated in the areas of engineering design, testing, orbital operations, and organization and management. The study identified the upcoming Shuttle to Mir flights as providing the most attractive orbital parameters for PANSAT operations. A systems analysis was conducted that attempted to develop and prioritize engineering design issues requiring more thorough investigation. The chief problem area discovered by this analysis was in the power production aspect of the Electrical Power System (EPS). PANSAT was determined to have a negative power margin under certain conditions, and an even lower power margin than previously believed under most conditions. It is recommended that the project make satellite development its principal objective (over education) to maximize the likelihood of success. Student participation in the project is the single greatest asset of the project, and it remains largely untapped. Re-organizing the project to increase student involvement, within the constraints of the Space Systems curricula, will improve efficiency by easing extraneous requirements on an overtasked engineering staff, and thereby improve overall productivity.