OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): 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 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: The US Space Force (USSF) looks to advance space domain awareness (SDA) technologies and concepts of operations (ConOps) by accelerating on-orbit inspection, mission planning architecture, and on-orbit maneuvering. By addressing these technological and operational challenges, the topic will lead to scaling and operationalization of in-orbit servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities and sustainable business models. The objective outcome will directly impact 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. To sustain economic and warfighter superiority, this topic will conduct a structured examination of an array of advanced maneuvering and manipulating capabilities. The topic will mature technologies and methodology for de-tumbling prepared and unprepared resident space objects (RSO); robotic manipulators and effector technologies; technologies and methodology for safe approach and docking; and dynamic mission planning and servicing architecture. The intent is to gain significant development in the core technologies and capabilities, enabling systemic space domain awareness capabilities that support the rapid advancement of dynamic operations in space. Leveraging these emerging ISAM and Space Mobility and Logistics (SML) technologies will infuse innovation into the traditional space operations framework by reducing reliance on static mission operations and bespoke space systems. DESCRIPTION: The Space Force is a large and complex organization consisting of many functions with similar counterparts in the commercial sector. The Space Force wishes 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. This topic seeks ideas and technologies relating to the mission of In-Space Servicing Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM). USSF, NASA, and AFRL are seeking to partner with SpaceWERX to accelerate small businesses that can develop transformative technologies and methodologies aimed at improving dynamic space operations with targeted advancements in mission architecture and planning, acquisition, and servicing capabilities. PHASE I: This feasibility demonstration should encompass evaluating the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas with commercial potential. Additionally, it must validate the product market between the proposed solution and the USSF customer. The feasibility study should identify the prime potential USSF end users for the Defense-modified commercial offering, describe integration feasibility and costs with current mission-specific products, and explore the potential use by other DoD or Governmental customers. Documentation should include all relevant information, including, but not limited to, technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Prior work to demonstrate feasibility must meet the minimum technical and scientific merit specified in this description. Work submitted with the feasibility demonstration must have been substantially performed by the Offeror and/or the Principal Investigator. PHASE II: The topic will focus on five strategic areas: (1) Technologies and methodology for de-tumbling prepared and unprepared satellites The focus area will look at the evolving technology needed to engage with both prepared and unprepared resident space objects (RSO). Advancements in technology to detumble a client satellite or RSO and perform safe operations for prepared and unprepared space objects. Explore novel methodologies for stabilizing and detumbling client satellites in orbit. This may involve the development of deployable systems, thruster configurations, or passive techniques to mitigate satellite rotation and facilitate safe rendezvous and docking procedures. (2) Dexterous robotic manipulators, grapplers, and effector technologies for safe docking The focus area will look into the development, testing, and integration of radiation-hardened or radiation-tolerant robotic manipulators, grapplers, and end effectors for operation in orbits ranging from low earth orbit (LEO) to geostationary earth orbit (GEO). The scope of work shall appropriately source and test hardware components to ensure the robustness of the hardware and software as it operates in the harsh environment experienced in space. Impact trade studies should be completed to design, procure, or upscreen electronic components that are suitable for a potential demonstration mission while keeping size, weight, power consumption, and cost (SWaP-C) in mind alongside rigorous environmental testing aimed at achieving a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6. The project entails thorough integration efforts to ensure interoperability and compatibility with common small satellite architecture through comprehensive Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AI&T) activities. This alignment is essential for seamless integration into future spacecraft systems and demonstrates the project's commitment to interoperability and mission readiness. The goal will be to have matured the technology to a point ready for a demonstration mission of in-space servicing at the end of the performance period. (3) Technologies and methodology for safe approach and docking The scope will focus on maturing algorithms for autonomous approach techniques to perform both inspection and active engagement of RSO. Develop innovative algorithms, sensors, and control systems to enable precise and safe maneuvering during the rendezvous and proximity phases of space missions. Emphasis should be placed on autonomous decision-making capabilities, collision avoidance strategies, and real-time situational awareness. Propose advancements in docking mechanisms, interfaces, and procedures to facilitate the reliable and efficient connection between spacecraft. Solutions should accommodate various spacecraft configurations, including standard docking ports and novel designs. (4) Dynamic inspection mission planning and servicing architecture This topic will advance mission planning, servicing, and optimization architecture for small spacecraft, including examining an emerging area in machine learning algorithms for secure fault detection isolation and recovery. This work will contribute to autonomy, edge computation, and interoperable networking capabilities for small spacecraft and national space superiority through dynamic space operations. (5) Coupled body attitude control and primary propulsion system The topic will accelerate advancements in maneuverability by examining innovations in small spacecraft inspection and propulsion systems, emphasizing strong advancements in the reliability of electric and chemical propulsion systems. Upon safe docking with a resident space object, the combined mass may significantly exceed that of the visiting spacecraft, and effective attitude control may only be possible by means of the visitor's main propulsion system. This topic will seek a robust suite of coupled body attitude control algorithms using the main propulsion system of the visiting spacecraft to provide in-space logistics or inspection servicing missions. Successful Phase-II proposals and awards will provide evidence of market fit in a detailed business plan, including total available market (TAM) and served available market (SAM); revenue model and plan; and scaling plan, including supply chain and manufacturing. Successful proposals will also provide an end-to-end capability demonstration in a relevant laboratory operational environment, including initial field testing to prove that the proposed capability is prepared to move into limited production and operational field testing. The successful Phase-II capability shall achieve TRL-6 or higher, as documented in a final report with laboratory and field demonstration. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Some solutions may go from Phase II to Phase III once 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. Space Domain Awareness and On-Orbit Servicing: N. Seckbach, A. Bish, and R. Neuhaus, ",On-orbit servicing for space domain awareness,", Acta Astronautica, vol. 179, pp. 263-272, 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actaastro.2020.10.022].; 2. Space Domain Awareness Doctrine for Space Forces, Space Doctrine Publication (SDP) 3-100, Space Domain Awareness Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM) https://www.starcom.spaceforce.mil/Portals/2/SDP%203-100%20Space%20Domain%20Awareness%20(November%202023)_pdf_safe.pdf.; 3. ISAM National Strategy - https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/04-2022-ISAM-National-Strategy-Final.pdf.; 4. On-Orbit Satellite Servicing Study Project Report, NASA-GSFC, https://nexis.gsfc.nasa.gov/images/NASA_Satellite%20Servicing_Project_Report_0511.pdf, October 2010.; 5. TRL Guide - https://www.gao.gov/assets/gao-20-48g.pdf.; 6. https://spacewerx.us/space-prime/.; KEYWORDS: AFWERX, SpaceWERX; Orbital Prime; ISAM; In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing; Dynamic Space Operations (DSO); Soft Capture; Hard Capture; Rendezvous Proximity Operations; Space GNC; Robotic Docking
