What is SpinSat?

SpinSat is a comprehensive and flexible approach to Mars-relevant science & technology development activities.

Goal: Develop beyond-LEO multi-payload platform to provide transit-to-Mars and Mars-surface gravity-plus-radiation environments for science experiments, model validation, technology development, & risk reduction. Objectives include: 

• Frequent access to Mars-relevant (BLEO) space via a launch-vehicle-and orbit-agnostic platform

• Use of “cubesat standard” interfaces enabling broad participation in experiments by academics, commercials, and OGA.

Objectives:

O1	Simultaneous long duration exposure to deep space radiation environment over a range of (0 -> 1G) gravities simultaneously, including 1g control
O2	Low cost per experiment • Many experiments can be hosted on the platform • Allows for multiple copies of experiments / enhanced statistical significance
O3	Allow for frequent access to space: • O3a: LV Agnostic • O3b: Orbit agnostic
O4	Interfaces consist of the highly familiar “Cubesat” interfaces based on the “U”. • Other configurations are achievable and not a priori precluded. • PI focus on the experiment, not the S/C.
O5	Easy integration / payload access. • Stretch: Permit “just-in time” loads for biology prior to launch
O6	Addition of regolith simulant allows for simulation of lunar* radiation environment. *Mars radiation environment is under study

Background: Science experiments and technical operations in transit to Mars and on its surface, from human-habitation-relevant microbiome evolution, to movement of dust and regolith, are impacted by Mars’ unique gravity-and-radiation environment. SpinSat provides micro-g, 0.38xg, and 1xg controls plus to-Mars and on-Mars radiation environments, for ~48U of payloads.

Impact: Utilize to-Mars and on-Mars gravity-plus-radiation environments on SpinSat to:

• Study to/on-Mars environmental effects on biological and physical systems

• Reduce human exploration risk via experimental evolutionary studies of human-relevant microbiomes (habitats, ECLSS, food growth)

• Validate models & countermeasures for Mars’ biological impacts by studies of organoids, tissues, humanized model organisms

• Validate scientific underpinning and operational efficacy of surface operational strategies: dust mitigation, regolith transfer, bioprocessing

Advancement from Current State of the Art – National Academies:

“…The research opportunities that are envisioned to exist within cis-lunar space are expected to be severely limited in volume and frequency. This sets an interesting conundrum where some critical research cannot be met with the current deep space platforms, yet they would richly inform human exploration beyond LEO during the Artemis missions.”

*BioSentinel is the only deep-space biology mission flown to date.