Relative Position Sensing System for Precision Formation Flying Spacecraft

Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 5)

Description

We propose to advance to 5 a Relative Position Sensing System (RPSS) consisting of an integrated package of optical sensors and guidance navigation & control software. Sensing accuracy goals for two spacecraft separated by 100 m are 1 mm longitudinal separation; 100 micron transverse offset; and 1.5 arcsec for attitude angles.

Benefits

This technology will enable distributed telescopes with focal lengths far greater than achievable with optical booms. It is a key enabling technology for Heliophysics MIDEX concept Solar High Angular Resolution Photometric Imager (SHARPI) and decadal class mission concept Coronal Microscale Observer (CMO). It also enables Astrophysics mission concepts such as Virtual Telescope for X-ray Observations (VTXO)

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Observatories > Distributed Aperture
Program	Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF (GSFC CIF)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
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.

Anne-marie D Novo-gradac — anne-marie.novo-gradac-1@nasa.gov
Philip C Calhoun — philip.c.calhoun@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.

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