NASA SBIR 2020-II Solicitation

Proposal Summary

Proposal Information

Proposal Number:
20-2- H9.05-6746
Phase 1 Contract #:
80NSSC20C0396
Subtopic Title:
Transformational Communications Technology
Proposal Title:
Commercial-Scale Arrays for Lunar Exploration: Communications and Sensing System

Small Business Concern

   
Firm:
          
CesiumAstro, Inc.
          
   
Address:
          
13412 Galleria Circle, Suite H-100, Austin, TX 78738
          
   
Phone:
          
(512) 818-6869                                                                                                                                                                                
          

Principal Investigator:

   
Name:
          
Spencer Erekson
          
   
E-mail:
          
spencer.erekson@cesiumastro.com
          
   
Address:
          
13412 Galleria Circle, Suite H-100, TX 78738 - 0000
          
   
Phone:
          
(512) 520-8116                                                                                                                                                                                
          

Business Official:

   
Name:
          
Mr. Chris Pappas III III
          
   
E-mail:
          
trey@cesiumastro.com
          
   
Address:
          
13412 Galleria Circle, Suite H-100, TX 78738 - 0000
          
   
Phone:
          
(206) 605-4130                                                                                                                                                                                
          

Summary Details:

   
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 4
End: 6
          
          
     
Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

In order to provide high performance communication links for lunar and deep space missions, while dramatically improving cost and reducing SWaP, new approaches are required. The key enablers to deliver this step change, mass manufacturability and software-defined design, serve as cornerstones to Cesium’s modular design ecosystem. Leveraging Cesium’s existing phased array communication hardware and development roadmap, this submission proposes a feasibility study to define the required software development and hardware adaptation to enable dual function active phased array communication and radar sensing system from the same payload. Such a system will bring all the advantages of Cesium’s modular scalable approach, adding dual use functionality within a very low SWaP, low cost solution. By combining communications and radar within one payload, the system provides two functionalities from one-equipment set of size weight and power. Moreover, the system can be scaled to suit a very wide range of mission scenarios based on Cesium’s modular building blocks.
          
          
     
Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):
NASA application of this technology is potentially very broad and includes all missions that require Ka-band communications or signal processing. Current programs that use this technology are NASA Ames Starling and Glenn’s SKOUT. Future NASA applications include communications link and radar ranging systems for lunar landers and space stations, dedicated communications link for lunar rovers and habitats, very high throughput communications for lunar communication relay satellites, and space situational awareness capability
          
          
     
Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words):
Missions include ground links for small satellites, dedicated high throughput communication links for larger satellites, and radar sensing payloads for orbital servicing and space situational awareness. Additionally, UAV’s are a prime target for technology transition as SWaP is critical and such a dual function payload has direct application for communications and collision avoidance
          
          
     
Duration:     15
          
          
Form Generated on 05/13/2021 14:48:22