TTTech Aerospace has been selected by Maxar Technologies to provide the TTEthernet network platform for the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE) for NASA's Gateway. The PPE will provide power, maneuvering, attitude control and communications for the lunar orbiting outpost. Gateway is a foundational part of NASA's Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and next man on the Moon by 2024 and eventually enable future crewed missions to Mars. TTTech Aerospace and RUAG Space will deliver the first equipment to Maxar in mid-2021.

"Maxar completed the Systems Requirements Review for PPE, and we are now beginning to contract our sub-suppliers. We chose TTTech Aerospace because they can provide us with a complete, fault-tolerant, mature network solution allowing Maxar to implement our mission-critical applications. TTEthernet technology forms the backbone for inter-element data and network communications across the combined PPE-HALO spacecraft. We appreciate the support from their expert team," says Vince Bilardo, Senior Executive Director for NASA Programs at Maxar Technologies.

"We are very proud to be a part of the PPE and Gateway, and to be working together with Maxar on the critical deterministic communication system. TTTech Aerospace and RUAG Space, its partner for space products design and manufacturing, have proven experience in designing and delivering mission-critical systems and TTEthernet networks for space. TTTech Aerospace has a dedicated team of software and systems engineering experts at TTTech North America, in our Houston, Texas office. They are working closely with Maxar to find the best solution based on commercial off-the-shelf TTEthernet products for the exacting requirements of this demanding space project," explains Bob Richards, Vice President Space, TTTech North America.

The PPE will be integrated on the ground with Northrop Grumman's Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) element of Gateway, and the combined PPE-HALO spacecraft will launch aboard a commercial heavy-lift rocket.

RUAG Space will provide space-qualified hardware
"In this project, RUAG Space brings together its strong expertise in space electronics engineering and manufacturing with TTTech's expertise in software, fault-tolerant systems and customized electronic chips. RUAG Space will provide space qualified hardware (electronic units) that enable the use of the highly reliable TTEthernet technology in space applications," says Luis De Leon Chardel, Executive Vice President ad interim, RUAG Space.

The space hardware will be designed and produced in Vienna, Austria. For its entire electronics portfolio, RUAG Space offers a direct technical interface to U.S. clients in its office in Denver, Colorado.

TTTech Aerospace has developed a complete network solution
Together with its partner for space products design and manufacturing RUAG Space, TTTech Aerospace has developed a complete TTEthernet network solution to be applied for the PPE, consisting of switches, end systems (network interface cards), the related software elements as well as network configuration tools.

The cards are integrated in a hosting unit to allow for easy installation in the spacecraft. Alongside the software elements and configuration tools, TTTech implements space products into the platform which are based on a proven chip. The solution supports the three configurable Ethernet traffic classes in a modular, compact and standardized design for maximum compatibility with Maxar's avionics system.

TTEthernet has been established as the International Avionics System Interoperability Standards (IASIS) by NASA and its partners for communication between all Gateway modules and visiting exploration vehicles, such as cargo vehicles and lunar landers. TTEthernet is a scalable, standards-based technology that uses time scheduling to deliver deterministic real-time communication. It guarantees the transmission of messages, even if one channel becomes faulty, thanks to safety features and redundancy management inherent in the network.

TTEthernet allows scalability and lowers complexity by seamlessly accommodating the integration of additional modules into the PPE and Gateway networks. It enables safe and secure data transmission for spaceflight, allowing both critical applications such as control commands as well as other communication data (e.g. video telephony) to make use of one joint network.

Related Links
RUAG Space
TTTech Aerospace
Mars News and Information at MarsDaily.com
Lunar Dreams and more

Thanks for being here; We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain. With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords. Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year. If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Contributor $5 Billed Once credit card or paypal		SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter $5 Billed Monthly paypal only

China's lunar rover travels 652 meters on far side
Beijing (XNA) Feb 23, 2021
The lander and the rover of the Chang'e-4 probe have been switched to dormant mode for the lunar night after working stably for the 27th lunar day, according to the Lunar Exploration and Space Program Center of the China National Space Administration. The lander was switched to dormant mode at 1:30 p.m. Friday (Beijing Time) as scheduled, and the rover, Yutu-2 (Jade Rabbit-2), at 1:48 a.m. Friday, said the center. The Chang'e-4 probe, which was switched to dormant mode during the lunar night ... read more

Read more from original source...