Science Telescope for CubeSat Applications

Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

We will design a low-mass, compact telescope with fast, reflective optics and develop an interface to science instruments specifically designed for CubeSat science investigations.

Objectives: The goal of the proposed effort is to develop a “standard” telescope/interface package adaptable to a variety of mini-instruments in a CubeSat configuration.

Benefits

Multiple small and miniature space missions.

Details

Technology area	Thermal Management Systems > Cryogenic Systems > Thermal Conditioning for Sensors, Instruments, Samples, and High-Efficiency Electric Motors
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2015-10-01
End date	2018-09-01

Project contacts

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

Brook Lakew — brook.lakew-1@nasa.gov
Michael J Amato — michael.amato@nasa.gov
Shahid Aslam — shahid.aslam-1@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.