Flight Testing of Wireless Networking for Nanosat Launch Vehicles

The innovation proposed here addresses the testing and evaluation of wireless networking technologies for small launch vehicles by leveraging existing nanosat launch vehicle (NLV) development to create a dedicated wireless technologies testbed that can enter flight during Phase I.

The Phase I research goal is to establish a technical readiness level (TRL) of 6 for internal vehicle wireless networking using ZIGBEE and/or its equivalent, particularly for sensor networks, stage-to-stage and vehicle-payload interfaces, as well as demonstrate vehicle-to-ground network communications using WIMAX. Subsequent Phase II research would focus on increasing the TRL to 7 by improving the performance of the test vehicle to expand the flight envelope while working with partners and suppliers to tailor their hardware to space applications.

Such an aggressive Phase I work plan is possible due to our team's ongoing NLV R/R&D that is presently funded by the Air Force along with several civilian and commercial launch service customers. The long term goal of this initiative, which is characterized by extensive flight testing, is to provide a dedicated, domestic launch capability of 10 kg to low Earth orbit.