Hardware to Enhance Resilience of Satellites to Directed Energy Threats

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Directed Energy TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Space Platform; Materials 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 the Announcement. 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 Air Force SBIR/STTR HelpDesk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us. OBJECTIVE: Provide hardware suitable to enhance the resilience of satellites to directed energy threats. Hardware that disrupts any link in the kill chain' is of interest. Technologies that lessen the cost of defending satellites against DE threats or impose greater costs on the source of the DE threat are of particular interest. DESCRIPTION: Directed Energy (DE) threats pose a growing threat to satellites. DE is of particular concern for the field of satellite resiliency because such action is not necessarily attributable or immediately detectable and because the cost of defense is greater than the cost of offense. Proposed solutions must balance the needs of efficacy, cost, and compatibility with the design and operation of existing and future spacecraft. Proposers must clearly show why their technology is not only effective, but cost-effective and compatible with operating in the space and spacecraft environment. Solutions may be either existing technology adapted to the needs of spacecraft DE resilience or they may be novel technology designed for spacecraft DE resilience. Hardware solutions that protect against any failure mechanism caused by DE threats are of interest. Creative responses are encouraged but adherence to fundamental physics and good design practice are required. PHASE I: Define requirements to survive and operate within intended space, spacecraft, and DE threat environments. Perform modeling to estimate efficacy of the technology and any constraints it imposes on operation of the spacecraft. Characterize the applicability of the technology to spacecraft with different missions, orbits, et cetera. Orbits of interest include low, medium, highly elliptical, and geosynchronous earth orbits. Proposers adapting existing technology may perform a demonstration in a simulated DE threat environment. Prepare technology transition plans. PHASE II: Design, analyze, build, and ground test the technology, showing capability to survive and perform in the space, spacecraft, and DE threat environment. If possible, space qualification testing should be performed such that the offeror is prepared to sell the product to the space market at the end of Phase 2. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Design, build, deliver, and support an experiment to allow the USSF to demonstrate the technology in a combined effects environment. REFERENCES: Gilmore, D. G., Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook Volume I: Fundamental Technologies, 2nd Ed, The Aerospace Press, El Segundo, CA, 2002; Wertz, J.R., Larson, W.J., Space Mission Analysis and Design, Microcosm Inc. Hawthorne, CA, 10th Ed, 2008.; Fortescue, P., Stark, J., Swinerd, G., Spacecraft Systems Engineering, 3rd Ed., John Wiley and Sons, West Sussex, England, 2003. KEYWORDS: Resilience; Directed Energy Threat; DE threat; hardware