Deep Space Cubesat Regenerative Ranging Transponder (DeSCReeT)

Innoflight proposes developing a 0.5U Deep Space Cubesat Regenerative-ranging Transponder (DeSCReeT) compatible with NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) and similarly capable ground assets and with flight-ready units available for CubeSats deployed in cis-lunar space via the Exploratory Mission 1 (EM1) program. The transponder will leverage Innoflight's flight-heritage Software-defined Compact Radio (SCR) family of radios. Phase 1 design efforts include requirements gathering from Pre-Phase A and Phase A CubeSat missions, Forward Error Correction trades, X-Band versus S-Band trades, and radiation-tolerant component trades. Given the EM-1 timeline, the Phase 1 effort will successfully complete a CDR-level design by the end of the period of performance.

DeSCReeT will have significant opportunities across a number of different applications because of the breadth of its capabilities beyond the state of the art. We have captured just a few of its personalities and associated applications below: � Low-Power Deep Space Ranging Transponder. The application is not limited to CubeSats and it could become the de facto transponder for deep space missions. � X-Band Transmitter. With the trend to increasing payload data in more capable CubeSats and SmallSats, an X-Band Transmitter is increasing in demand. � Higher-orbit CubeSat Transponder. Mission designers are looking at workhorse-applications for CubeSat and SmallSat at orbits beyond LEO. Innoflight's strategy is to work directly with AES on existing, planned and potential SmallSat deep space mission requirements to produce an affordable CubeSat form factor Deep Space Transponder.

Ever since our 2012 success of qualifying a s/w-defined CubeSat S-Band radio, spacecraft and payload system primes have contacted Innoflight about a similar SWaP ranging transponder and/or X-Band transmitter capability for payloads generating higher data rates. Besides NASA, the interested customers have been both DoD and commercial, e.g., looking into early surveying /seismology for asteroid mining. Based on its SWaP and a corresponding much lower price point, DeSCReeT will offer something not currently available in the market for Deep Space and more severe earth orbit applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.