Abstract:
In order to meet the need of systematic application of low-Earth-orbit small satellite constellation, a development mode suitable for batch production of small satellites was designed and practiced. Many innovative strategies for batch production were applied, including on boarding for the final state, drop welding before product delivery, tailoring or simplifying environmental tests, implementing satellite structure assembly in parallel with pipeline welding through operation of pipeline templates, wing transport at launch site, and all-wireless test etc. Those measures have enabled the delivery of more than 20 small satellites of 500 kg per year by establishing a small satellite batch production system in China, which lays a good foundation for the construction of intense small satellite constellation thereafter. The strategy and methods for batch production have all been verified in practice. Compared with the traditional small satellite development, the assembly, integration, and test (AIT) cycle of satellite batch production had been reduced from more than one year to less than three months, and the launch site working cycle has been reduced from 35-50 days to 20 days. It has realized rapid development, rapid launch, and rapid in-orbit application to promote the development efficiency and large-scale deployment of low-Earth-orbit small satellite constellation.