← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)
This project represents flight opportunities for the second phase of flight testing to evaluate a Universal Access Transceiver (UAT) based (978MHz) Automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter developed to support commercial space transportation (see Technology 33). ERAU aims to flight test this payload on three platforms: (1) Near Space Corporation (NSC) High Altitude Shuttle System (HASS) to evaluate the performance of the payload for a greater flight duration and range, (2) Masten Xaero to assess operation and demonstrate success onboard a VTVL rocket vehicle, and (3) Up Aerospace SpaceLoft XL to assess payload performance in the significantly more hostile, dynamic flight environment (vibration, rotation, and g-loading) of a sounding rocket.
Paper (April 2013): Initial flight tests of UAT ADS-B unit for suborbital reusable launch vehicles
Problem Statement
To support the launch of reusable launch vehicles, some sanitization of the airspace must occur to ensure that the area around the launch and landing sites are clear of air traffic. One of the major concerns is the uncertainty of the vehicle’s descent path, especially while flying under parachute (as most unmanned RLVs do). A UAT-based ADS-B receiver will provide the same capabilities that an ADS-B receiver provides for manned space flight. It broadcasts to ground-based and airborne receivers the current altitude, position heading and velocity of the vehicle once per second.
Technology Maturation
Once the test flights are performed, the technical readiness shall increase from TRL 5 to TRL 7 because the high-quality prototype will have been fully tested within the target operat
This technology will allow returning reusable launch vehicles to use the National Airspace without the need for sanitizing large volumes of airspace, thus benefitting the commercial space industry.
Future Customers
It is anticipated that the developed prototype will become a standard payload on RLVs and potentially Re-entry Vehicles (RVs) and first stages and strap-ons of Expendable Launch Vehicles (ELVs) as well - once it has been proven robust and reliable.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.