Co-Operative Blending of Autonomous Landing Technology (COBALT)

The project is a partnership between STMD-GCD, STMD-FOP, and HEOMD-AES, to perform open-loop and closed-loop flight testing of Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN) and Navigational Doppler LIDAR (NDL) systems on a Masten xodiac launch platform. The main objective is to integrate these systems into a seamless guidance, navigation and control capability.

NASA Funded: Reduces risk for infusion of precision landing GN&C technologies into near-term human and robotic exploration missions. NASA Unfunded: Promotes inclusion of new precision landing GN&C technologies to increase surface accessibility, and thus enable the formulation of new mission concepts. OGA: Provides non-GPS based precision navigation and sensors that could be utilized on non-spaceflight vehicles or in GPS-deprived environments. Industry: Provides integration and testing experience to Masten Space Systems, and also promotes the NASA technologies to other industry partners interested in precision landing capabilities. Nation: Promotes NASA's mission to explore new destinations, which will require the ability to precisely land in uncertain and risky terrain locations.

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.

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.