DSSL

The Distributed Space Systems Laboratory (DSSL) was designed and built in the Faculty of Aerospace Engineering and is located in the Asher Space Research Institute. Research efforts are focused on dynamics and control of multiple spacecraft formation flying, a topic attracting much interest in the United States and in Europe. DSSL also serves as a resource for instruction and education.DSSL PicDSSL constitutes an experimental facility designed and equipped to test methods and machinery under circumstances as close to actual operating conditions as possible, including cooperative control, relative position and attitude sensing, and space-borne sparse-aperture imaging. The specialized lab equipment includes an air bearing table, model satellites, and sensing devices.

The lab design addresses practical issues required to verify future technologies for real-life implementation of formation-flying satellites. Research in the laboratory is expected to lead the way to space research progresses that will ultimately enable the launch of a formation flying mission into an Earth orbit.