WFF 6 Port Ethernet Switch (WFFES-6)

Completed TRL 4 (started at 1, targeting 4)

Description

The WFFES6 project plans to produce a lightweight, low-cost, purpose-built six port Ethernet Switch capable of surviving the environments encountered during suborbital projects like Sounding Rockets and Balloons.

Benefits

This project plans to produce the following benefits:

An open-source platform that allows custom firmware to be implemented to reduce the technological barrier of entry to ethernet capable devices.
An open-source platform that would allow ease of understanding of firmware/operational capability required to develop ethernet capable devices.
A low cost device that would enable low-budget programs to fly ethernet capable hardware without having to justify the expense of COTS hardware.

Details

Technology area	Flight Computing and Avionics > Avionics Systems and Subsystems > High-Speed Onboard Interconnects and Networks
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
Start date	2024-10-01
End date	2025-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Robert T Caffrey — robert.t.caffrey@nasa.gov
Sarah D Wright — sarah.wright@nasa.gov
Jakob T Kraft — jakob.t.kraft@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.