E-field Instrument for CubeSats
Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA9453-12-M-0057
Agency Tracking Number: F112-083-2386
Amount:
$149,996.00
Phase:
Phase I
Program:
SBIR
Awards Year:
2012
Solicitation Year:
2011
Solicitation Topic Code:
AF112-083
Solicitation Number:
2011.2
Small Business Information
5777 Central Avenue, Suite 221, Boulder, CO, -
DUNS:
601975803
HUBZone Owned:
N
Woman Owned:
N
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged:
N
Principal Investigator
Name: Geoffrey Crowley
Title: President/Chief Scientist
Phone: (210) 834-3475
Email: gcrowley@astraspace.net
Title: President/Chief Scientist
Phone: (210) 834-3475
Email: gcrowley@astraspace.net
Business Contact
Name: Geoffrey Crowley
Title: President/Chief Scientist
Phone: (210) 834-3475
Email: gcrowley@astraspace.net
Title: President/Chief Scientist
Phone: (210) 834-3475
Email: gcrowley@astraspace.net
Research Institution
Name: Stub
Abstract
ABSTRACT: The Air Force and other DoD components require accurate knowledge of the ionospheric environment to understand and predict its impacts on vital radio-based systems, including communications, navigation, and surveillance systems. In response to the STTR Topic AF112-083 we propose to develop a conceptual design for a miniature, low-cost, lightweight, high sensitivity electric field instrument using the double probe technique to provide in-situ measurements of ionospheric electric fields. Our focus will be on developing a new electric field sensor that meets or exceeds the performance of SSIES, yet has significantly smaller mass and power requirements such that it can fly on CubeSats or nano-satellites. The new design will also be Space Plug-and-Play Avionics (SPA) compatible. The name of the new instrument is DIME (Double-probe Instrumentation for Measuring E-fields). DIME will draw heavily from the lessons learned in developing the electric field instrument for the DICE mission. It also benefits from ASTRA"s experience with Space Plug-n-Play Avionics (SPA). BENEFIT: The DIME (Double-probe Instrumentation for Measuring E-fields) sensor is a new electric field sensor that meets or exceeds the performance of SSIES, yet has significantly smaller mass and power requirements such that it can fly on CubeSats or nano-satellites. The new design will also be Space Plug-and-Play Avionics (SPA) compatible, so it can contribute to the efforts that are underway to develop complete PnP satellite systems built on a SPA backbone using SPA components. It is suitable for mass-production, and is expected to populate the fleets of CubeSats that are expected to fly in the near-future. Small size and low operating power enable the DIME sensor to fly on any spacecraft from the smallest (CubeSat) to the largest. * Information listed above is at the time of submission. *