TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Space Technology 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 3.5 of 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. OBJECTIVE: As the air and space operational environment evolves, there is an increased demand for navigation solutions that can operate independent of traditional PNT solutions provided by Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). MagNav provides unjammable navigation when other signals are unavailable, including over water, in inclement weather, and during long missions. The USSF, in partnership with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Research and Development Directorate, aims to advance MagNav by providing a dedicated satellite to operate in VLEO to collect high-resolution magnetic field data. This project will develop a magnetically clean space-based observing system or systems, to operate at extremely low-orbiting altitudes (100-300 km), capable of performing a mapping mission investigating the Earth's crustal magnetic field. The primary goal is to acquire the necessary high-accuracy, high-resolution global data to map Earth's crustal magnetic field at the highest possible resolution and improve geomagnetic models for advanced navigation applications. DESCRIPTION: The US Space Force (USSF) looks to accelerate emerging technologies and mature alternative map-based navigation techniques that can provide part of the solution for alternative positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) systems. Specifically, this project aims to further develop and enhance the magnetic navigation (MagNav) techniques by developing a space-based remote sensing platform to operate in very low earth orbit (VLEO), capable of collecting the data necessary to map the Earth's crustal magnetic field. By advancing these core capabilities, this topic will meet the Department of Air Force's (DAF) Operational Imperative 1 Defining Resilient and Effective Space Order of Battle and Architectures. Recognizing the increasing vulnerability of systems dependent on GNSS, this VLEO Magnetic Mapper (VMM) project aims to develop magnetic navigation as a robust alternative navigation capability for use in GNSS-denied environments. This project will research, design, and plan a demonstration magnetic mapping mission using a remote sensing satellite to operate in VLEO. This space-based mapping will provide a crucial foundation for augmenting and calibrating localized magnetic navigation maps currently generated from air and ground-based surveys. By collecting data across the globe from altitudes between 100km and 350km, this project will address critical limitations in current magnetic navigation map making capabilities, including access in highly contested areas, air and ground sensor limitations, algorithmic challenges, and the presence of inconsistent or missing map data, particularly in strategically important military areas. The project's scope encompasses strong collaboration across strategic partnering agencies as well as ties to various international partners as part of the Responsive Space Capabilities (RSC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This work will support ongoing effort within the RSC MOU which initiates, conducts, and manages research, development, test, and evaluation cooperation related to responsive space capabilities and aims to validate and execute the feasibility of a VLEO satellite-based mapping mission. This collaboration will be essential for conducting comprehensive mission analysis, optimizing mission design, and executing the build, test, and launch phases of the demonstration mission. The ultimate objective is to generate usable global magnetic field data that can be directly applied in subsequent testing and development of MagNav applications. This data will not only improve the accuracy and reliability of MagNav systems but also contribute to the development of advanced algorithms and sensor technologies for future magnetic navigation systems PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, Phase I awards will not be made for this topic. The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the D2P2 proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-type effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-mission fit between the proposed solution and a potential Air Force and/or Space Force stakeholder. The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the DAF customer and end-user. The feasibility study should have: 1. Clearly identified the potential stakeholders of the adapted solution for solving the Air Force and/or Space Force need(s). 2. Described the pathway to integrating with DAF operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant systems and/or processes. 3. Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. PHASE II: The proposed solutions should demonstrate design concepts to define a very low altitude satellite for a demonstration mission. Proposed solutions should consider shorter life spans (<12 months) for the initial demonstration mission and heavily factor in size, weight, power and costs (SWaP-C) limitations associated with the development of operating at very low altitudes. This project aims to rapidly advance the state of what is possible and use the cost value proposition of operating in a VLEO environment for shorter periods vs. larger, bespoke systems that have exquisite capabilities. A successful proposal should also consider future designs for a satellite constellation or a set of extremely low-orbiting satellites to be launched in succession, to support crustal magnetic field mapping. The end goal of the demonstration mission will prove viability to perform mapping of the crustal magnetic field from space with a target half-wavelength resolution less than or equal to 80 km at the equator. Proposed solutions should consider the impact of operating in multiple orbit configurations (polar, near-polar, circular, elliptical). Design reference missions (DRM) and final orbit configurations will be worked jointly with NGA and USSF based on independent assessments and analysis completed for this effort. The satellite design should consider various complications that may arise from operating in lower altitudes (<300km) such command and control (C2) operations for short contact windows, propulsion needed to maintain very low altitude orbits, platform interference with magnetometer payloads, platform stability, etc. The nominal payload suite includes vector and scalar magnetometers, star cameras, GPS receiver, etc. Proposed solutions should consider the full spectrum of what is possible to achieve the desired data from this demonstration mission. Alternative payload designs may incorporate the state-of-the-art sensing techniques for magnetic anomaly detection such as the use of quantum magnetometers (e.g. Diamond Nitrogen-Vacancy, Optically Pumped, etc). Importantly, the satellite bus should be tightly integrated with the instruments needed to enable high-accuracy, scientific measurements. In particular, a successful proposed solution will minimize payload interactions with the platform (such as magnetic field instruments deployed on booms) and enable accurate measurements of magnetic fields, to ensure that highest quality data are obtained. The final outcome of this effort should be a VLEO satellite capable of a demonstration mission to perform low altitude remote sensing of Earth's magnetic field. Proposed work should detail subsystem needs and offer trade space solutions for capabilities and performance associated with payloads, cost, power, orbital life span. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Some solutions may go from Phase II to Phase III as soon as the product-market fit is verified. Potential Phase III awardees would focus on adapting technology developed for larger missions supporting DoD and other government agencies. Successful Phase II efforts are expected to be ready to complete a demonstration in a relevant operating environment (TRL 7) prior to any potential Phase III efforts. REFERENCES: 1. Crustal Filed Study - http://www.spacecenter.dk/%7Enio/papers/GJI-22-0442.pdf. 2. Lower Thermosphere-Ionosphere Science -https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/ENLoTIS_Report_ISSUED_2024.pdf. 3. Magnetic Navigation - https://www.gps.gov/governance/advisory/meetings/2018-12/canciani.pdf. 4. SWARM Satellite Mission - https://earth.esa.int/eogateway/missions/swarm. 5. Technology Readiness Assessment Best Practice Guide - https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20205003605/downloads/%20SP-20205003605%20TRA%20BP%20Guide%20FINAL.pdf. 6. TRL Guide - https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-20-48g.pdf. 7. https://spacewerx.us/. KEYWORDS: Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO); Magnetic Navigation; Magnav; Remote Sensing; Magnetic Navigation; Magnetic Anomally Map; Lithospheric Magnetic Field
