Space Force asks industry for enabling technologies in space situational awareness and cyber security
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – U.S. Space Force experts are reaching out to industry for research concepts in space and cyber security technologies to counter emerging space threats.
Officials of the U.S. Air Force Special Programs Directorate in El Segundo, Calif., have issued a broad agency announcement (FA8819-24-R-B003) for the FreeSol project for integrated space and cyber security solutions.
This solicitation has five primary research topics:
-- resiliency to increase space systems survivability, such as proliferation strategies; commercial standards and multi-domain reuse; data flows and information sharing; redundancies; and rapid reconstitution.
-- space situational awareness technologies like low-cost and resilient ground systems; low size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) systems; ground- and space-based space weather sensors; and optics.
Counter-space technologies
-- defensive and offensive counter-space technologies to protect U.S. and allied space systems from attack, such as capability gap studies; cyber security capabilities; active and passive phenomenology; and satellite servicing.
-- efficiencies that promote battle management command control and communications (BMC3), such as space data analytic tools for large data sets and networks; and artificial intelligence (AI) and automation for space operations.
-- methods for advancing exercises, tests, and training environment such as ride share opportunities; solutions across several domains; and inter-satellite links for small satellites.
Space Force experts are interested in concepts ranging from proofs-of-concept to mature systems -- or Technology Readiness Levels 3 to 9.
Companies interested should submit 10-page concept papers no later than 23 Feb. 2029 via the appropriate communications channels, such as NIPR, SIPR, JWICS, SGN, and SIC to Contracting Officer 1st Lt. Heeyeun Joo at [email protected]; Security POC John Stelling at [email protected]; and Alternate Contracting Officer Robert Chernoff at [email protected].
Companies submitting promising concepts may be invited to submit full proposals. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/5d02e76118834fb28b2183e759c35b39/view.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
