Space Micro Ships Computer/Avionics System To AirLaunch LLC

San Diego, CA - Space Micro successfully shipped a computer/avionics system to AirLaunch LLC, to be used for ground-based and flight testing.

The Vehicle Management System Computer (VMSC) contains several distinct electronic "slices" that perform various functions. The heart of the system is the Space Micro Proton200kTM single board computer, based upon a high-performance DSP and capable of levels of computational performance beyond any space-qualified single board computer available today. The system also provides (in a matched form factor) a Valve Driver, and a separate Analog I/O slice, to interface with various controls and sensors on the spacecraft. The VMSC has its own self-contained power supply as well.

The VMSC is designed as the primary flight computer for low-cost launch vehicles or as a C&DH computer for satellites. The system can also interface to the Inertial Navigation System (INS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) to calculate and control the vehicle's flight path and trajectory.

Lyle Menzel, who represented AirLaunch LLC during the Acceptance Testing, stated that the first assignment for this system would be testing the propulsion subsystems.

"This is an important milestone for us at Space Micro," said David R. Czajkowski, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Space Micro. "The VMSC has provided an opportunity for us to bring together several of the technologies that have been developed by our company. By applying innovative approaches to the challenges of designing electronics for the space environment, we can achieve levels of performance that are beyond that of most in our industry."

SOURCE: Space Micro Inc.