Solar Probe Plus: Motor Controllers Design for Manipulator for Calibration Purposes of SPAN-A and SPAN-B Instruments

Abstract:

In preparation for the 2018 launch of Solar Probe Plus, and for the pre-flight tests of the SWEAP package, the instrument manipulator has been updated and modernized. Calibration of the Electrostatic Analyzers (ESA) is the critical last stop before launching instruments into space. The current method of controlling the instrument manipulator requires a dedicated computer, operating system, and power supplies. A novel solution integrates the power supplies, data acquisition, motor controller, and commanding microcontroller into one small enclosure. The system will also include software integration that communicates via Ethernet with electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) for full scripting automation during instrument calibration.