NASA Commercial SatCom User Terminal

The focus of this proposal is to assess the feasibility of developing a Commercial Satellite Communications Services (CSCS) , and identify design parameters for a CSCS User Terminals (CSCSUT) that can be manufactured by any number of commercial space communications equipment vendors. We propose to purchase representative CSCS ground-based terminals, analyze their design and operation, to learn about the current state of operations. The innovation of the approach resides in our goal to create a CSCSUT that is interoperational with multiple CSCS providers' systems, that when flown on a NASA spacecraft, enable that spacecraft to relay its command, telemetry, and science data through a CSCS Provider and off-load the SN.

It provides NASA with an entirely new way of providing space communications to its near-Earth spacecraft, while enabling NASA to focus on NASA-specific space communications for which there is either an absolute need (i.e. safety, security, critical timeliness, etc.) for NASA to own and operate the communications infrastructure and operations or cannot be provided by commercial satellite communications providers. By off-loading the space communications from the SN, it enables the SN infrastructure and operations to be optimized for critical, NASA-unique requirements, thereby significantly reducing NASA's overall cost for space communications. The project will be interacting directly with the CSCS Ground Terminals (CSCSGT) manufacturers, they will become the source for manufacturing the CSCS User Terminals (CSCSUT) to the new NASA specification. This ensures an immediate technology transfer to industry.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.