User Initiated Services (UIS)

Traditional mission operations and space communications services rely on highly scripted activities, often planned weeks in advance, limiting responsiveness to changing scientific events or conditions of interest. A new protocol,  known as User Initiated Services (UIS), will enable more dynamic and collaborative mission operations concepts, reduced user space communications planning burden, and more efficient and effective use of space communications resources through infusion of automated software-enabled services across user mission and provider network resources.

UIS will enable new scientific and human mission operations concepts, such as event-based and collaborative platform observations, by providing more dynamic and autonomous communications services. UIS will reduce user space communications planning burden through automation. UIS will enable more effective and efficient utilization of space communications resources by automating planning processes and supporting the dynamic re-allocation of link resources based on various criteria, such as mission priority or cost avoidance. 

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.

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