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

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)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高效、更容易获得，从而增强企业、机构和新进入者的能力。预计的结果是增加数据生成和传输，改善与基于云的服务和近地轨道(LEO)天基平台的连接。通过减少进入低轨卫星的技术和成本障碍，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相一致，预计到2031年，卫星激光通信市场将达到41亿美元。商业影响是巨大的，包括满足更大的卫星地面站市场的机会，有可能实现跨不同行业的转型机会。这项SBIR第一阶段项目建议开发和完善光轨道热点网络集成技术，并实施先进的波束控制技术。主要的挑战在于创造多路访问激光通信终端(MALT)和发展轨道光学热点技术。这项研究将使MALT和紧凑型用户激光通信终端系统(Micro-LCT)的光学设计成熟。要解决的研究和目标范围从业务开发到初步硬件设计。预期的技术成果将包括建立轨道模型、多波束操纵技术开发、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”，提高能力并降低地球观测系统市场上的高数据速率通信障碍。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

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.