The Complete Guide To Our Payload Release Sequencing System (PRSS)

On March 21, 2020 PacSci EMC proudly participated in the successful deployment of 34 satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The release of these satellites from the launch vehicle dispenser structure is a precision operation choreographed by our Payload Release Sequencing System (PRSS). To date, the PacSci EMC PRSS has successfully sequenced 3,424 on orbit events to successfully deploy 428 satellites (as of Feb 2022).

What may be less well known is how PacSci EMC came to develop the PRSS technology. With the growing use of airbags in the 1980s and 1990s, the automotive industry established a consortium of companies to develop communication and sequencing protocol. A safe-by-wire technology was developed to initiate the growing number of airbags found in modern vehicles. Ultimately, the technology was deemed too expensive for the high volume production of the automotive industry. PacSci EMC recognized the potential application for the technology in the aerospace industry and acquired the intellectual property in 2001. For use in aerospace application, we branded the technology as Smart Energetic Architecture? (SEA?).

Since 2001, PacSci EMC has successfully implemented SEA? technology in numerous applications. For the deployment of large satellite constellations, Smart Energetic Architecture offers many advantages.

Differentiation

• Flight qualified on INSERT One-Web Satellite Separations
• Flight qualified on space SRM Attitude Control/Delta V ignition system for Cubesats
• Designed for space (vehicle radiation, thermal, vacuum, shock, vibration, etc.)
• Highly flexible mission configurations. Mission sequencing can be hardcoded or user configurable

Key Features

• Multi-satellite release solutions --- integrated mechanical & electrical system and harnessing
• Parallel bus allows for minimized system harness mass
• Configurable mounting options --- enables flexibility, smaller footprint, less weight/wiring
• High reliability and precise timing --- no satellite tip off
• Flexible & scalable architecture
• Command many individual separation events (e.g., 16, 72, etc.). Demonstrated up to 384 events on one vehicle
• Real time status/arming/firing feedback, bi-directional network bus architecture over a variety of serial communication options (Ex: RS422)
• Commands a mix of pyro devices, motorized lightbands and non-explosive actuators
• Very low power --- ability to sleep/no power draw. Has demonstrated mission durations from hours to months

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