AggieSat: Autonomous Rendezvous and Docking Technology Demonstrator, Phase I

Current autonomous rendezvous and docking (AR&D) capability in low Earth orbit (LEO) is constrained by sensor and effector mass, power, and accuracy limits. To this end, NASA Johnson Space Center has developed a GPS receiver, called DRAGON (Dual RF Astrodynamic GPS Orbital Navigator), specifically to address the sensor constraints. The proposed innovation includes creating a small, low-cost, and versatile technology demonstrator to validate and increase the technology readiness level of DRAGON and other state-of-the-art miniaturized sensors and effectors in an on-orbit AR&D operational scenario. For Phase 1, a demonstration platform will be developed that utilizes two picosatellites in LEO, and relative GPS as the primary sensor. These satellites will be launched as a single unit from the SSPL (Space Shuttle Payload Launcher) on STS 127, then separate and transmit DRAGON GPS data. The picosatellite technology demonstrator will be at a TRL of 7 at the end of Phase 1. For Phase 2, the demonstration platform will be further developed to further validate DRAGON, and validate IMU sensors, a 1st generation reaction control system, a 1st generation guidance navigation and control system, communication links, and an undocking mechanism.

The validated miniaturized sensors and effectors will be applicable to a variety of missions for DoD, companies, and universities, and the demonstrator platform itself will be plug and play, and available and adaptable to other mission validations. As an example, PM+AM Research has been working in laser-based micro-space propulsion with the AFRL Space Propulsion Directorate for many years, which has led to a number of applications of distributed systems based on picosats. Our concept will help realize such distributed systems. The communities with immediate interest include: responsive space, midcourse ballistic missile defense, and space situational awareness. PM+AM Research is working with DoD in each of these, and a suitable platform for specific test scenarios will allow us to perform test and evaluation measurements/scenarios attractive to these customers. These anticipated development efforts are expected to lead to follow-on efforts and eventual products, which may require the involvement of the large integrators.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.