Balloon SATCOM

nnoflight is uniquely qualified to develop a Ka-band software-defined radio (SDR) for balloon satellite relay communications supporting commercial SATCOM (including TDRSS) waveforms at an affordable price point. The SDR will comply with Innoflight’s existing 82x82x25mm SDR form factor, and it will be suitable for airborne, upper atmospheric and “small space” platforms. At typical balloon attitudes, Innoflight’s innovative Ka-band SDR will aim to achieve 50 Mbps with a mechanically steered high gain antenna based on a maritime SATCOM system. The significance of this innovation is the long awaited low price point for a TDRSS satellite relay radio at a highly efficient SWaP. Innoflight is able to achieve this innovation through the combination of the following factors: a) advanced modem design toolchain with pre-existing or in-progress modules/elements, b) optimized hardware implementation using the latest in System on Chip (SoC) technology, c) in-house RF front end hardware design and established RF Front End Modules (FEM), and d) turnkey manufacturing through an existing trusted supplier; – all being guided by an overarching 13+ years’ experience in researching, selecting, qualifying and managing the life cycle of the latest in COTS (both RF and general processing) device technology.

The proposed solution provides an inexpensive and low SWaP solution for a wide range of platforms and research missions that operate in realms where SATCOM is the only option. The system will be applicable to: balloon, UAS, maritime and land mobile systems.

Remote user SATCOM applications across government and the commercial sectors are extremely vast. Link performance combined with low SWaP and cost will be highly favored by end users.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.