Autonomous Navigation for Co-Orbiting Spacecraft (AIDNav)

Completed TRL 6 (started at 1, targeting 6)

Description

This project will assess the performance of angles-only navigation for lunar/interplanetary orbiting spacecraft. Flight software integration is anticipated.

Benefits

This project will provide information on sustainable lunar orbit navigation. It will assess novel algorithms for orbit determination, which can improve OD performance on future space missions exploring the moon or any body in the solar system.

Details

Technology area	GN&C > Navigation Technologies
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2022-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Bradley T Hill — bradley.t.hill@nasa.gov
Cheryl J Gramling — cheryl.j.gramling@nasa.gov
Kendall D Mauldin — kendall.d.mauldin@nasa.gov
Lavida D Cooper — lavida.d.cooper@nasa.gov
Eric T Stoker-spirt — eric.t.stoker-spirt@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.

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.