Small Satellite System for Space Surveillance

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Battlespace, Information Systems

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 5.4.c.(8) of the solicitation and within the AF Component-specific instructions. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the AF SBIR/STTR Contracting Officer, Ms. Gail Nyikon, gail.nyikon@us.af.mil.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a low earth orbit small satellite system suitable for detecting and locating near-GEO (geo-synchronous orbit) space objects of apparent visible magnitude 16 Mv or brighter. The project shall serve as a pathfinder in assessing the feasibility and affordability of developing a low cost constellation for routine and frequent updates to the GEO catalog.

DESCRIPTION: Multiple factors are causing rapid advances in space-related capabilities beyond the traditional domain of governments and commercial geostationary satellites services. A primary driver of these advancements is that leading innovators, entrepreneurs and technology companies are turning their attention and resources to developing satellite-based services and supporting satellite and launch systems. Commoditization of satellite components and major subsystems, through modularization and standardization, use of commercial/automotive electronics and hardware, rapid manufacturing, 3D printing, automated design tools, and advanced software capabilities are yielding cubesats, smallsats, and microsats that can be built in months and that cost a fraction of that of traditional satellites. The standardization of cubesats based on 3U, 6U and 12U sizes and associated containerized launch and release systems, and standardization of smallsat sizes and interfaces including ESPA (EELV Secondary Payload Adapter) class, offer more options for low-cost space access through rideshare. Emerging dedicated smallsat launchers are using novel production methods, new rocket technology, reusability, large launch rates, and modern range and operational approaches. Furthermore, the availability of global networks for commercial ground stations and communications services allow for significant reduction in the cost of operations for these systems. It is envisioned that the revolution in business models, data analytics, payloads, satellites, launch and ground systems, sometimes collectively called New Space, can provide benefits to the Air Force in certain mission areas, and in particular for this Phase II topic area, for space surveillance. The current Air Force Space Surveillance Network (SSN) includes a range of ground-based sensors and space-based sensors to maintain a catalog of over 1500 objects in near-GEO, and it is known that there are many smaller objects that are difficult to detect or cannot be tracked with current systems. For the purposes of this solicitation, near-GEO is defined to include orbits having a mean period of approximately 24 hours, or an apogee near 35,768km, and having any values of inclination angle and orbital eccentricity. It is projected that the New Space paradigm can replicate the capabilities of these LEO systems within the scope of this Phase II, i.e., deliver a satellite and/or payload for this mission area within the funding and schedule of the awarded contract(s). There are several options for award, including a single award for satellite bus and payload, or separate awards to two vendors, one for the bus and one for the payload. In the latter case, vendors will be required to collaborate to define appropriate interfaces between these two system elements. The Air Force may elect to subsequently partner with awardees to support the integration, launch and operations of the delivered systems.

PHASE I: Proposal must show

1. Demonstrated understanding of space surveillance technology and data products used for space catalog maintenance.
2. Demonstrated capability to produce small satellites and/or optical payloads that have relevance to this space surveillance mission area.
3. Demonstrated understanding of opportunities, processes and constraints for ground communications links, satellite operations and low cost launch, primarily through ridesharing.

FEASIBILITY DOCUMENTATION: Offerors interested in submitting a Direct to Phase II proposal in response to this topic must provide documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described above has been met and to identify the potential commercial applications. The documentation provided must substantiate that the proposer has developed a preliminary understanding of the technology to be applied in their Phase II proposal to meet the objectives of this topic. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Read and follow all of the feasibility documentation portions of the Air Force 16.3 Instructions. The Air Force will not evaluate the offeror’s related Direct to Phase II proposal where it determines that the offeror has failed to demonstrate the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of the Phase I project.

PHASE II: The contractor shall perform the following tasks:

1. Develop an overall low-cost LEO-based small satellite mission design concept that provides for detection and location of near-GEO objects, on a prescheduled / routine basis (sweep mode or fence mode), or with options for scheduled tasking.
1. Space segment design to include satellite bus and payload, and interfaces / requirements for operations, including ground communications links
2. Define the performance capabilities in terms of at least:
1. Detectability of near-GEO objects (goal of apparent visual magnitude of 16 and brighter and clear analysis of technical limitations for detecting magnitude 16 or possibly dimmer objects)
2. Tracking limitations including
3. Number of observations / day (goal of 2000 or more)
4. Latency of reporting observations (goal less than 2 hours)
5. Tracking accuracy (goal of better than 10 arc seconds)
6. Mission life (goal of 1 year or more)
3. Assessment of available launch option(s) utilizing rideshare or dedicated smallsat launchers
4. Plan for ground segment communications option(s) utilizing commercial ground station opportunities
2. Develop and deliver a space qualifiable small satellite bus and/or sensor payload that provides detection and location of near-GEO objects consistent with this mission design:
1. Utilize standard or prescribed interfaces to proposed launch vehicles and ground segment.
2. Define and utilize commonly available industry standard electrical, data and mechanical interfaces between payload and bus, if opting to deliver only one or the other, for example using RS-422, Ethernet, etc. Details of these interfaces may be modified during the course of the effort to accommodate other awardees developments.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The Government has an interest in transition of the demonstrated concept to an operational capability in support of routine space situational awareness operations. Additionally, applications of the technology to support commercial satellite operators are envisioned for collision avoidance and anomaly resolution. Furthermore, technologies for low cost satellites and sensors have other commercial mission applications.

REFERENCES:

• Stokes, G. H., Von Braun, C., Sridharan, R., Harrison, D., & Sharma, J. (1998). The space-based visible program. Lincoln Laboratory Journal, 11(2), 205-238.
• Maskell, P., & Oram, L. (2008, September). Sapphire: Canada’s answer to space-based surveillance of orbital objects. In Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Conference.
• Ackermann, M. R., Kiziah, C. R. R., Zimmer, P. C., McGraw, J. T., & Cox, D. D. A systematic examination of ground-based and space-based approaches to optical detection and tracking of satellites. 31st Space Symposium, Technical Track, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Presented on April 14, 2015
• USSTRATCOM Space Control and Space Surveillance,
   
  https://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/11/Space_Control_and_Space_Surveillance/

KEYWORDS: space situational awareness, space surveillance, space catalog, orbit tracking, deep-space, geo-synchronous orbit, image processing, small space-based telescope, cubesat, micro-satellite, space catalog maintenance