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AggieSat: Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Technology Demonstrator

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
90866 		Program Year/Program:
2009 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
080028 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Physics, Materials & Applied Math Research, L.L.C.
1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112 Tucson, AZ -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2009
Title: AggieSat: Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Technology Demonstrator
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX09CF69P
Award Amount: $99,998.00
 

Abstract:

Current autonomous rendezvous and docking (AR&D) capability in low Earth orbit (LEO) is constrained by sensor and effector mass, power, and accuracy limits. To this end, NASA Johnson Space Center has developed a GPS receiver, called DRAGON (Dual RF Astrodynamic GPS Orbital Navigator), specifically to address the sensor constraints. The proposed innovation includes creating a small, low-cost, and versatile technology demonstrator to validate and increase the technology readiness level of DRAGON and other state-of-the-art miniaturized sensors and effectors in an on-orbit AR&D operational scenario. For Phase 1, a demonstration platform will be developed that utilizes two picosatellites in LEO, and relative GPS as the primary sensor. These satellites will be launched as a single unit from the SSPL (Space Shuttle Payload Launcher) on STS 127, then separate and transmit DRAGON GPS data. The picosatellite technology demonstrator will be at a TRL of 7 at the end of Phase 1. For Phase 2, the demonstration platform will be further developed to further validate DRAGON, and validate IMU sensors, a 1st generation reaction control system, a 1st generation guidance navigation and control system, communication links, and an undocking mechanism.

Principal Investigator:

Helen Reed
Principal Investigator
reed@aeromail.tamu.edu

Business Contact:

Kevin Kremeyer
Business Official
5209032345
Small Business Information at Submission:

Physics, Materials, and Applied Mathematics Research, LLC
1665 E. 18th Street, Suite 112 Tucson, AZ 85719

EIN/Tax ID: 860986177
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Texas Engineering Experiment Station
Office of Sponsored Research, 3000 TAMU
College Station, TX 77843-3000
Contact Phone: (979) 458-7617
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university