Scalable Wide-Field-of-View Electro-Optical Payloads for GEO Space Domain Awareness
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Department of Defense, on behalf of the U.S. Air Force, is seeking proposals under the SBIR program to develop commercially derived, Wide-Field-of-View Electro-Optical payloads for persistent Space Domain Awareness in the geostationary belt. The contractor will perform feasibility studies, sensor performance modeling, and preliminary operational concept definition during Phase I, followed by the design, fabrication, and environmental testing of a prototype engineering model payload in Phase II. Key technical goals include demonstrating autonomous scanning of approximately 40 degrees in right ascension by +/-15 degrees in declination within 30 minutes, as well as detecting Resident Space Objects at a threshold of 15.0 visual magnitude. This ITAR/EAR-restricted opportunity opens for applications on May 27, 2026, with submissions due by June 24, 2026.