The Department of Defense (DoD) is seeking proposals for the development of a transportable/mobile optical telescope observatory called the Mobile RAVEN Observatory. The goal is to create a fully functional and autonomous observatory that can be relocated to remote locations over various terrains. The observatory should have network access and a self-contained power source. It should be easily deployed and optimized for autonomous observations.
In Phase I, awardees will develop a design for the mobile observatory and perform finite element analysis to ensure its ability to survive transport. Phase II involves constructing a prototype and testing its autonomy, vibration resistance, and measurement accuracy. In Phase III, the awardee will deliver a fully functional Mobile RAVEN Observatory that can replace existing fixed observatories and be easily relocated.
The technology falls under the Directed Energy (DE) critical technology area and is subject to export control regulations. The solicitation is open until October 18, 2023. For more information, visit the DoD SBIR 23.3 BAA on grants.gov.