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Lawn Dart Terrestrial Demonstration (LD 1.0)

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

The Lawn Dart Terrestrial Demonstration aims to test the remote delivery of security commodities (e.g., communication, navigation, situational awareness/sensing, power) to the lunar surface. Sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), the system is intended to work in concert with orbital (e.g., LunaNet) and surface assets to provide publish-and-subscribe security commodities to civil, commercial, security, and allied consumers for safe operation in the environment. Testing will include a system level demonstration of the Lawn Dart concept using the Masten Xodiax vehicle.

Benefits

The Lawn Dart Terrestrial Demonstration will test remote delivery of security commodities (communication, navigation, situational awareness/sensing, power) to the lunar surface. Sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), the system is intended to work in concert with orbital (e.g., LunaNet) and surface assets to provide publish-and-subscribe security commodities to civil, commercial, security, and allied consumers for safe operation in the environment. Testing will involve a system-level demonstration of the Lawn Dart concept on the Xodiac vehicle from Masten Space Systems. This has the potential to benefit NASA missions and the commercial space industry.

Details

Technology areaCommunications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Revolutionary Communications Technologies > Cognitive Networking
ProgramFlight Opportunities (FO)
Lead organizationAmes Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Start date2021-07-08
End date2024-07-08

Project contacts

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How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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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