Multiple User System for Earth Sensing Facility

Facility Description

MUSES was launched in June 2017, achieving Full Operating Capability in September 2017, and has been in continuous operations since that time. The facility accommodates up to four (two “large” and two “small”) robotically installed instruments referred to as “Hosted Payloads”, with inertial attitude estimation, and off-nadir pointing capability enabled by a dedicated inertial measurement unit, star tracker, two-axis gimbal system, and a dedicated Server hosted internally in the International Space Station US Laboratory.

The ISSInternational Space Station orbital inclination (51.6 deg) and MUSES pointing capability (5 deg ISS Starboard/45 deg ISS Port and +/- 25 deg ISS Forward/Aft) provide for a near-global coverage profile with capability up to 55 deg North and 52 deg South in latitude or around 90% of the inhabited Earth.

The MUSES pointing accuracy is better than 30 arc seconds, which corresponds to about 60 m on the ground at an ISS altitude of 400 km and the MUSES M​aster Time provided to hosted payloads has an accuracy of <±250 μsec to GPS time. Geo-location is sourced from the ISS GPS system and is accurate to ±50 m.

All Payload Accommodations include:

Test and integration support for MUSES and ISS
Launch (pressurized/soft-stowed) services
Robotic transfer/installation and return (if desired) services
Commanding through Gbit ethernet
Payload health and status via Gbit ethernet
Primary data transmitted via Gbit ethernet
Radiative heat rejection only. Heater Power available
Hosted Payload data file(s) transfer, downlink, and delivery

Large Payload Accommodations provide support equivalent to small satellite payloads in the 100 lb to 200 lb class.

Maximum Mass: 100 kg
Maximum Height: 35″ (92cm)
Maximum Width: ~18″ (~46 cm) diameter
Maximum Power: 222 W @ 28 Vdc

Small Payload Accommodations provide support equivalent to small satellite payloads in the 50 lb to 100 lb class.

Maximum Mass: 50 kg
Maximum Height: 35″ (92 cm)
Maximum Width: ~10″ (~25 cm) diameter
Maximum Power: 112 W @ 28 Vdc