The Department of Defense, specifically the United States Air Force, is seeking proposals for the development of a low-cost optical space domain awareness sensor designed to track low Earth orbit (LEO) objects. The objective is to create a sensor that passively detects LEO objects, processes data at the edge, and autonomously sends relevant observations to end users, addressing the limitations of existing radar and optical tracking systems. This initiative is crucial for enhancing space situational awareness and ensuring the safety of space operations, with a focus on affordability, minimal maintenance, and ease of replacement. The solicitation is currently closed, with proposals due by October 23, 2024, and further details can be found at the official DOD SBIR website.

## Description

This topic seeks to develop a low cost optical space domain awareness sensor (SDA) to track low earth orbit (LEO) objects as they pass overhead. To accomplish this, a survey of existing optical collection and processing methods will be conducted to determine the best technical approach to develop the sensor. A system will be developed that passively detects LEO objects, computes necessary information at the edge, and sends relevant observations to end users autonomously. Considerations for this sensor should include optical performance, limiting visual magnitude, field of regard, as well as overall cost and complexity. The sensor should be designed with minimal maintenance in mind and be easily replaceable. The end result will be a SDA sensor that can be used as an optical fence for LEO objects.

## Objective

Low earth orbit spacecraft are typically tracked by radar sites, and infrequently by optical telescopes. However, radar sites are expensive to build, operate, and sustain. Likewise, telescopes cannot track the volume of objects overhead. This topic seeks to explore the development of a low cost optical space domain awareness sensor for the tracking of low earth orbit objects that can be proliferated worldwide. These sensors will have high sensitivity and be capable of detecting low earth orbit objects within its field of regard. Due to the amount of data collected, these sensors will have the capability to process data at the edge and send observations to end users directly via a networking solution to the unified data library. These sensors will require little to no maintenance and will be affordable so that they can be easily replaced after a nominal lifespan of several years. 

## 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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Clearly identified the potential stakeholders of the adapted solution for solving the Air Force and/or Space Force need(s). 2.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;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.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Describe if and how the solution can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. In addition to the feasibility study applicants should demonstrate a framework algorithm to use a proof of concept for classifying launch events as DA-ASAT launches and identifying training dataset that can be used in model development.

## Phase II

In Phase II a prototype will be created based off the design produced in Phase I. The prototype should be deliverable to the government for bench-top testing and evaluation. Post-delivery the sensor will be characterized by the government and compared to other similar cameras produced by foreign companies.

## Phase III: Dual Use Applications

In Phase III the Department of the Air Force will consider ordering several of the produced prototypes, with or without modification, for research and operational space domain awareness sensors. The results of the prototype evaluation will be shared with the customer base and the decision to purchase additional units will be left to the various customer program managers.

Low Earth Orbit Space Domain Awareness Optical Fence

SBIR Opportunity Analysis

SBIR Documents

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