SBIR Phase I: Multiple Access Laser Communication Terminals for Optical Orbital Hotspots

SBIR 第一阶段：用于光轨道热点的多址激光通信终端

• 批准号: 2319654
• 负责人: Jordan Wachs
• 金额: $ 27.41万
• 依托单位: SPACERAKE, INC.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-03-01 至 2025-02-28
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2319654&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; Multiple; Access; Laser

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project lies in the development of an Optical Orbital Hotspot network that will enhance satellite data collection and utilization. This innovation is projected to make small satellites operating more efficient and accessible, thus empowering businesses, agencies, and new entrants. The expected result is an increase in data generation and transfer, improving connectivity to cloud-based services and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space-based platforms. By decreasing the technical and cost barriers to LEO access, rapid innovation will be enabled, leveraging existing aerospace research. This development is aligned with a growing market, with the satellite laser communication market expected to reach $4.1B by 2031. The commercial implications are vast, including opportunities to address an even larger satellite ground station market, with the potential to enable transformational opportunities across various sectors.This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop and refine the technology for an Optical Orbital Hotspot network integration and implement advanced beam steering technologies. The primary challenges lie in the creation of multi-access lasercom terminals (MALT) and the development of orbital optical hotspot technology. The research will mature the optical designs of the MALT and compact user lasercom terminal systems (micro-LCT). Research and objectives to be addressed range from operations development to preliminary hardware design. The anticipated technical results will include the establishment of orbital models, multibeam steering technology development, interface and requirements definition, and design for the MALT and micro-LCT systems. These efforts will collectively solve the 'last mile problem' for small size, weight, power, and cost satellites, enhancing capabilities and lowering high data rate communication barriers in the Earth observing systems market.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

这一小企业创新研究第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于开发一个光学轨道热点网络，该网络将加强卫星数据的收集和利用。这项创新预计将使小型卫星的运行更加高效和方便，从而增强企业、机构和新进入者的能力。预期的结果是增加数据生成和传输，改善与云服务和低地球轨道天基平台的连接。通过减少进入低地球轨道的技术和成本障碍，将能够利用现有的航空航天研究实现快速创新。这一发展与不断增长的市场保持一致，预计到2031年卫星激光通信市场将达到41亿美元。商业意义是巨大的，包括机会，以解决一个更大的卫星地面站市场，并有可能实现跨行业的转型机会。这个SBIR第一阶段项目建议开发和完善的技术，为光学轨道热点网络集成和实施先进的波束控制技术。主要的挑战在于创建多路访问激光通信终端（MALT）和开发轨道光学热点技术。该研究将使MALT和小型用户激光通信终端系统（micro-LCT）的光学设计更加成熟。要解决的研究和目标范围从业务发展到初步硬件设计。 预期的技术成果将包括建立轨道模型、多波束控制技术开发、接口和要求定义以及MALT和微型LCT系统的设计。这些努力将共同解决小尺寸、重量、功率和成本卫星的“最后一英里问题”，增强能力，降低地球观测系统市场中的高数据速率通信障碍。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。