The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Space Force (USSF), is seeking innovative solutions for Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The objective is to develop low-cost, attritable platforms capable of hosting advanced sensor technologies to enhance space weather specification and forecasting capabilities, addressing critical gaps in current observational assets. This initiative is vital for improving the resilience and effectiveness of space operations, particularly in the context of national security and commercial space activities. Proposals are due by June 25, 2025, and interested parties can find more information and submit their applications through the SBIR website at https://www.sbir.gov/topics/12066.

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Space Technology The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: This topic will examine new low-cost “attritable” platforms capable of hosting various dedicated sensor technologies that advance the ability to perform SBEM in VLEO space operations. The primary intent is to gain significant development in VLEO SBEM technologies and capabilities enabling persistent space operations in VLEO. Leveraging these emerging VLEO attritable platforms and sensor technologies will infuse innovation into the traditional space operations framework and unlocking lower altitude space operations. DESCRIPTION: The US Space Force (USSF) looks to accelerate emerging technologies as it pertains to Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO). By advancing these core capabilities, this topic will meet the Department of Air Force’s (DAF) Operational Imperative 1 “Defining Resilient and Effective Space Order of Battle and Architectures,” and 7 “Readiness of the Department of the Air Force to transition to a wartime posture against a peer competitor.” As the space operational environment evolves, there is a need for new technologies and capabilities in non-traditional orbital regimes that allow for a more sustainable and resilient environment. Understanding the space environment's impact on satellite operations and anomalies, communications, positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) signals is critical to both U.S. national security and commercial space operations. Currently space weather specification and forecast rely on a limited set of observational assets, and there is a lack of standardized solutions for capturing global ionospheric and thermospheric data. This program aims to develop a low-cost method to collect and analyze environmental data that will enhance space weather specification and forecasting capabilities. The method could span the range from a low-cost low SWAP sensor to be hosted on a space-based platform to an expendable self-contained sensor similar to the dropsondes used to collect data for terrestrial weather prediction. Relevant measurements include the total density and composition of both neutral and plasma species, electric fields, and wind. Novel concepts involving systems as a sensor concepts or remote sensing of embedded objects are encouraged. The Space Force is a large and complex organization consisting of many functions with similar counterparts in the commercial sector. The Space Force in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/RV) aims to explore innovative technology domains with demonstrated commercial value in the non-Defense sector, i.e., through existing products/solutions, in order to obtain Space Force applications, i.e. Dual-Purpose Technologies/Solutions. It is important that potential solutions have a high probability of keeping pace with technological change. Thus, solutions should be closely tied to commercial technologies and solutions supporting the solution’s development. Proposals for this topic should demonstrate a high probability of identifying a product-market fit between a Space Force end user and the proposed solution through a non-Defense commercial solution’s adaptation. This topic seeks to explore potential commercial products enabling SBEM in VLEO through either the development of a low-cost attritable platform or further development of state-of-the-art sensors for operations in VLEO. PHASE I: This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into Phase II. Therefore, Phase I awards will not be made for this topic. The applicant is required to provide detail and documentation in the D2P2 proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a “Phase I-type” effort, including a feasibility study. This includes determining, insofar as possible, the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have commercial potential. It must have validated the product-mission fit between the proposed solution and a potential Air Force and/or Space Force stakeholder. The applicant should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the DAF customer and end-user. The feasibility study should have: 1. Clearly identified the potential stakeholders of the adapted solution for solving the Air Force and/or Space Force need(s). 2. Described the pathway to integrating with DAF operations, to include how the applicant plans to accomplish core technology development, navigate applicable regulatory processes, and integrate with other relevant systems and/or processes. 3. Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. PHASE II: Space environmental impacts (specifically on communications & PNT signals) are of interest to both US national security and industrial base. The region of space above the Earth, at approximately 100-400 km, offers unique opportunities for in-situ measurements of space weather data. Space weather forecasting involves the combination of various data sources within the ionosphere and thermosphere as well as implementing detailed physics-based models. Currently, there are minimal standardized solutions that capture global space environmental data in the 100-400 km range (such as electric field measurements, molecular data, temperature, density, winds, etc.). This project focuses on developing a low-cost, small satellite platform specifically designed for VLEO operations to conduct in-situ measurements of the various layers within the thermosphere and ionosphere. Past efforts in lower thermosphere-ionosphere research have primarily relied on sounding rockets, ground-based radar systems, and sparse satellite measurements. While these methods have provided valuable snapshots of various data such as electron density, plasma temperature, and electric field dynamics, they lack the ability to deliver continuous, real-time data required for accurate space weather forecasting. This platform should provide a persistent, standardized solution to address space weather gaps in specification and forecast by augmenting traditional research conducted through ground-based observations, sounding rocket campaigns and other traditional space-based observation platforms with continuous, high-resolution data collection. The proposed solution could be optimized to host Langmuir Probes and Electric Field Probes (EFPs), which are critical for studying electron density, plasma temperature, electric fields, and ionospheric dynamics in the 100-400 km altitude range. Non-conventional specialty sensors that may provide benefits in the 100-400 km range are also of interest, to include innovative low-cost solutions to measuring even one of the critical parameters. Successful Phase-II proposals should emphasize innovative concepts such as rapid prototyping, drop-sounds like concepts that might be monitored remotely, and onboard AI-driven data processing for efficient data downlink and real-time analysis. Project scope should also include an end-to-end capability ready for demonstration in a relevant operational environment, including initial development of potential design reference missions. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Some solutions may go from Phase II to Phase III as soon as the product-market fit is verified. Potential Phase III awardees will transition the adapted non-Defense commercial solution to provide expanded mission capability for a broad range of potential Governmental and civilian users and alternate mission applications. REFERENCES: 1. Technology Readiness Assessment Best Practice Guide - https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20205003605/downloads/%20SP-20205003605%20TRA%20BP%20Guide%20FINAL.pdf. 2. TRL Guide - https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-20-48g.pdf. 3. https://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/EarthObservation/ENLoTIS_Report_ISSUED_2024.pdf. 4. https://spacewerx.us/. KEYWORDS: Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO); Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM); Military Application of the Space Environment (MASE); Expandable; Remote Sensing Platform

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