A Networked Flight Dynamics Platform for Collaborative Design and Optimization

Nabla Zero Labs proposes to continue the development of the Astrodynamics Cloud: A technology enabling the collaborative design, analysis, and optimization of spacecraft trajectories. We aim to support autonomous, integrated, and inter-operable modeling capabilities throughout NASA’s mission portfolio, as well as the rapidly-growing small-satellite industry, where newcomers possess extraordinary hardware capabilities, but more limited astrodynamics and flight mechanics expertise. Our platform is expressly designed to support the next generation of astrodynamics research, which we have called Large-Scale Astrodynamics: a field where the challenges are no longer how to solve one astrodynamical problem, but how to solve thousands or millions, simultaneously, continuously, and in near real-time. All while providing relevant and actionable information to a broad set of stakeholders and ensuring that such information is trustworthy and protected against cyberattacks. During Phase II, we will implement 7 services to be offered through the Astrodynamics Cloud platform: GMAT to solve GMAT-based mission design scenarios; MONTE to encode MONTE-based workflows; CRTBP to analyze trajectories in the cislunar space; SSA to perform large-scale situational awareness calculations; RAPTOR to perform low-thrust trajectory optimization; INTERVALDB an interval-oriented database to manage large-scale trajectory and interval-oriented Big Data; and CHECK a service for validation of trajectories against requirements. We are fortunate that our system comes into existence at a time when our field can barely keep up with the vast number of satellite launches, situational awareness calculations, NASA missions currently in all lifecycle stages, and the ever-increasing pressure of new entrants and stakeholders.

From the beginning of the Phase II effort, the Astrodynamics Cloud will support ongoing trajectory design, analysis, and optimization of trajectories in the cislunar space in support of the NASA Artemis mission and in mission concepts to Icy Giants currently under development. In addition, the Astrodynamics Cloud aims to support planetary protection calculations for the Europa Clipper mission and mission concepts to the inner planets.

There will be more satellites launched during this decade than have been launched since the dawn of the Space Age. The Astrodynamics Cloud aims to provide these new entrants with a platform expressly designed to design, analyze and optimize trajectories for these constellations via high-performance, collaborative platform. The Astrodynamics Cloud aims to be the Git of Space Mission Design.

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.

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