Radio Science and Astronomy via the Universal Space Transponder

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

Augmenting JPL's next generation radio family, the Universal Space Transponder, with modules capable of advance radio science functions. This will allow future missions to peform additional science, such as bistatic radar and planetary radio astronomy, without the costs of full stand alone instruments.

The primary objective of this task is to demonstrate that it is feasible to augment the Universal Space Transponder (UST) product line with more advanced science capabilities that are extensible to many use cases. The UST is a next-generation software defined radio, currently in engineering model (EM) development. The architecture of the UST is designed expressly to be modular, with a stacked slice hardware design that enables accommodation of multiple frequency bands as well as software and firmware based functionality that are fully reprogrammable post-launch. The specific goals of this task are to develop and build prototypes of two different radio science and astronomy modules that can be integrated into the UST EM: a bistatic radar receiver slice and a low-frequency, planetary emissions receiver.

Benefits

This development could enable future NASA missions that may not otherwise have the resources for a standalone instrument to collect planetary emissions or perform uplink bistatic radar observations through the use of a UST for both telecom and science purposes.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Microwave, Millimeter Waves, and Submillimeter Waves
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: JPL IRAD (JPL IRAD)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
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.

Fred Y Hadaegh — fred.y.hadaegh@jpl.nasa.gov
Michael D Pugh — michael.p.pugh@jpl.nasa.gov
Andrew F Romero-wolf — andrew.romero-wolf@jpl.nasa.gov
Bruce G Bills — bruce.bills@jpl.nasa.gov
Curtis Jin — curtis.jin@jpl.nasa.gov
Edgar H Satorius — edgar.h.satorius@jpl.nasa.gov
Igor Kuperman — igor.kuperman@jpl.nasa.gov
Robert J Dengler — robert.j.dengler@jpl.nasa.gov
Yonggyu Gim — yonggyu.gim@jpl.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.