Programmable Ultra Lightweight System Adaptable Radio (PULSAR) Flight Testing

Programmable Ultra Lightweight System Adaptable Radio (PULSAR) technology revolutionizes satellite transponder technology by increasing data through-put capability by, at least, an order of magnitude. PULSAR leverages existing Marshall Space Flight Center Software Defined Radio (SDR) designs and commercially enhanced capabilities to provide a path to a radiation tolerant SDR transponder. This provides high capability, low cost, transponders to programs of all sizes. The final project outcome would be the introduction of a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 low-cost CubeSat to SmallSat telemetry system into the NASA Portfolio. The requested sounding rocket flight will achieve TRL 7.

Paper at 2013 Smallsat Conference

NASA's strategic need for smaller, low-cost transponder packages is large and will continue to grow with the CubeSat and small satellite demand ever-increasing. This technology, a high-efficiency, high-throughput transponder at the S and X Band frequencies for use in small satellites, sounding rockets and balloon flights, will improve performance at a significantly lower cost than is commercially available, thus benefitting future NASA missions and other government agencies.

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.

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