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Completed TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
The goal of this project is to provide unprecedented precision real-time absolute and relative navigation capabilities to formations of nanosatellites using signals offered by modern Global Navigation Satellite Systems. The 0.5U system and associated software is capable of integration with most satellites to provide peer-to-peer decentralized navigation accuracy at the centimeter-level over separations up to hundreds of kilometers. The ability for each small spacecraft to know the relative positions of the other spacecraft in the formation with high precisions is desirable in several mission types including remote sensing, communication, and proximity operations.
This technology can be used to enhance proximity operations within Earth orbit and could help constellations of nanosatellites to precisely correlate distributed scientific observations and to coordinate spacecraft flying in formation to produce a distributed aperture.
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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.
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