Mission design analysis methodology for space-based computational data centers

The increasing volume and rate of data generated by Earth observation and other satellite constellations present significant challenges to traditional ground-based processing paradigms, primarily due to downlink bandwidth limitations and latency constraints. This thesis investigates the emerging concept of shifting computational tasks to orbit, utilizing dedicated space-based data center platforms networked with sensor spacecraft. Such distributed architectures offer potential benefits, including reduced data downlink requirements, lower latency for time-critical applications, and leveraging of in-space resources like solar power. However, designing these complex mission architectures involves navigating numerous interdependent technical and economic trade-offs across the ”system of systems”. To address this, a mission design analysis methodology centered around a high-fidelity simulation tool developed within the a.i. Solutions’ FreeFlyer environment is presented. This simulator models the dynamic interactions between key spacecraft subsystems—including electrical power, thermal management, communications (inter-satellite and space-to-ground), propulsion, orbital mechanics, and data generation/processing payloads across both data-generating and data-processing spacecraft roles. The tool enables the evaluation of various architectural configurations and operational scenarios, facilitating the analysis of design parameter sensitivities, assessment of trade-offs (e.g., centralization vs. distribution, power allocation, thermal rejection), and optimization of system performance against metrics like data throughput, latency, and mass-to-orbit. This work provides a framework and a quantitative tool intended to aid mission design engineers in the systematic design and analysis of future space-based computational data center missions.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Aerospace Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Eason, Richard

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lembeck, Michael

• Space systems
• space-based datacenters
• space-based compute
• mission design
• FreeFlyer
• Design analysis
• Simulation
• data center

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Richard Eason

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129312

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129312