← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)
Develop a testbed to test vision-based autonomous navigation algorithms that emulates the capabilities of JPL's reference 6U CubeSat Flight system. Perform an end-to-end demonstration of autonomous navigation in CubeSat-relevant environment. Assess the applicability of IntelliCam camera for autonomous navigation and required calibration... Mount Intellicam on Table Mountain Observatory and image asteroids against star backgrounds, process images with automated software to obtain star and asteroid centroids, Assess accuracy achievable by camera and software, run AutoNav on Intellicam testbed using realistic, simulated images with error characteristics from TMO data, demonstrate end-to-end navigation performance
Opportunity for demonstration on upcoming deep space CubeSat mission (e.g., AES' NEAScout). Alternative is to pursue demonstration as part of the game changing program (e.g., fly on university-led CubeSat mission in low Earth orbit)
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.