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.

该小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于开发光轨道热点网络，该网络将增强卫星数据收集和利用。这项创新预计将使小型卫星的运行更加高效且易于使用，从而为企业、机构和新进入者提供支持。预期结果是数据生成和传输的增加，改善与基于云的服务和低地球轨道（LEO）天基平台的连接。通过减少进入近地轨道的技术和成本障碍，将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 $4.1B。商业影响是巨大的，包括解决更大的卫星地面站市场的机会，有可能在各个领域实现转型机会该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。主要挑战在于多址激光通信终端（MALT）的创建和轨道光学热点技术的开发。该研究将使 MALT 和紧凑型用户激光通信终端系统 (micro-LCT) 的光学设计更加成熟。要解决的研究和目标范围从操作开发到初步硬件设计。 预期的技术成果将包括轨道模型的建立、多波束转向技术开发、接口和需求定义以及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”，增强能力并降低地球观测系统市场的高数据速率通信障碍。该奖项反映了 NSF 的法定使命，并被认为是值得的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来获得支持。