Communication System and Avionics for Deployable Small Free Flying Payloads

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

This IRAD will develop a core part of the communication system for the small free flying payloads. In particular, this portion of the system will consist of the circuitry for modulation, data transmission, and power amplification for the deployable sub payload. The development is a key part in the complete communication system which will include the main payload receiving system that will process the data transmissions for up to 48 instrumented sub payloads. The communication system will be used on suborbital platforms where telemetry on deployable free flying payloads is required. Current capabilities for this number of telemetered deployable bodies do not exist at this time, so this development will enable deployable sub payloads to collect scientific data in constellation configurations where otherwise impossible.

The objective of the project is to a have a functional communication system (data and transmission) for a single deployable sub payload.

The innovative features of this project:

Development of a core part (sub payload compact transmission system) of direct link communications between multiple payload bodies (currently, capability is not available).
Currently, the small size of the deployables prevents the use of off the shelf components to be utilized and necessitates the need for a compact design to meet the specific form factor (Length = 5in, 3.4in Diameter).

At the completion of the IRAD, if awarded, the intent is to produce a printed circuit board (PCB) that will be used for the encoding (for this IRAD, a fixed data pattern will be used) and signal conditioning of the data as well as for the circuitry for the power amplifier (PA) and data handling unit.

Benefits

Health and status of chemical release deployable free flying payloads for upper atmosphere research
Alternative to downlinked data from individual experiment instruments on deployed sub payloads for plasma and high energy astrophysics science that would require additional Ground Station support assets

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Radio Frequency
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA
Start date	2016-10-01
End date	2017-09-01

Project contacts

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

Daniel A Mullinix — daniel.a.mullinix@nasa.gov
Wesley A Powell — wesley.a.powell@nasa.gov
Brian H Banks — brian.h.banks@nasa.gov
Christian V Amey — christian.v.amey@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.