NASA selected four companies to perform capability studies with the goal of enhancing its space communication and navigation services in three areas: wideband satellite communications, phased array ground systems, and constellation topology analysis. Through these studies, NASA aims to better understand industry strengths, streamline operations, and smoothly shift to commercial services for space communication and navigation.

The contract awardees are:

• Cesium Astro of Austin, Texas, for $395,640 (Study Area 1 – Wideband Satellite Communications)
• Swedish Space Corporation of Horsham, Pennsylvania, for $149,028 (Study Area 2 – Phased Array Ground Systems)
• Intuitive Machines of Houston, Texas, for $126,650 (Study Area 3 – Constellation Topology Analysis)
• MTI Systems of Lothian, Maryland, for $91,012 (Study Area 3 – Constellation Topology Analysis)

The awards, under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnerships-2 (NextSTEP-2) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) Appendix L, are firm fixed-price milestone-based contracts.

“The agency’s overarching goal is to create a reliable, robust, and cost-effective set of commercial services for space communications and navigation in which space mission users can seamlessly “roam” between an array of space-based and ground-based networks,” said Greg Heckler, commercialization lead for NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) at the agency’s headquarters in Washington.

SCaN manages the agency’s two main networks: the Deep Space Network for distant missions and the Near Space Network for missions operating closer to Earth, operated through a mix of government and commercial entities. NASA seeks to create an interoperable architecture composed of a mixture of existing NASA and commercial services. These awards are furthering the agency’s long-term goal of a smooth transition to fully commercialized communications services for near-Earth users.

While each of the awards are diverse in scope, they serve to advance NASA’s understanding of the commercial communications and navigation landscape.

Cesium Astro will take on a forward-thinking study in wideband terminal design that will tap into their technological expertise and established enterprise partnerships.

Swedish Space Corporation, along with the support of Celestia Technologies Group, will conduct an in-depth study on cutting-edge phased array technologies and contribute to the exploration of economically viable lower-cost network solutions.

Intuitive Machines and MTI Systems will provide NASA with insights from satellite constellation crosslink topology studies to inform the agency’s immediate requirements and chart pathways to steer future endeavors.

These studies may add to the evolution of the agency’s Near Space Network and NASA’s vision for a resilient and robust space and ground communications and navigation infrastructure.

NASA’s Near Space Network is managed by the agency’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, under the direction of the SCaN program. SCaN continues to pursue regular industry engagement to identify matches between commercial capabilities and future NASA needs.

Learn more about the NextSTEP public-private partnership model at:

https://www.nasa.gov/nextstep

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Boom Supersonic, the pioneer in supersonic travel, has achieved significant milestones in the development of XB-1, their groundbreaking technology demonstrator aircraft. Leveraging cutting-edge advancements in aviation technology, XB-1 is a stepping stone towards the development of Overture, the world’s fastest airliner. With recent progress in preparing XB-1 for its first flight, Boom Supersonic is one step closer to revolutionizing air travel.

A Major Move and Extensive Ground Testing:
Earlier this year, XB-1 was relocated from Boom’s hangar in Centennial, Colorado, to the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, marking an important step in the flight preparations. Since arriving at Mojave, the aircraft has undergone rigorous ground testing, including recent taxi testing, showcasing the company’s commitment to safety and performance.

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Key Approvals and Authorizations:
Boom Supersonic has achieved significant regulatory milestones for XB-1. The aircraft has received an experimental airworthiness certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) after a thorough inspection. Additionally, Chief Test Pilot Bill “Doc” Shoemaker and test pilot Tristan “Gepetto” Brandenburg have been granted authorization to fly XB-1. Furthermore, letters of agreement with airspace authorities have been secured, allowing for flights over the Mojave desert—an airspace rich in aviation history.

Safety and Proficiency:
The development of XB-1 has provided valuable insights for Boom Supersonic, including the establishment of a robust safety culture. The test pilots have completed extensive simulator training, evaluations, and human factors assessments to ensure the highest levels of safety. To further enhance safety protocols, the test pilots maintain flight proficiency in a T-38 trainer aircraft, which will also serve as a chase plane during XB-1’s flight tests.

The Path to Overture:
XB-1’s successful progress has validated Boom Supersonic’s airplane design approach and enabled engineers to leverage advanced tools such as computational fluid dynamics (CFD). These learnings will be instrumental in the development of Overture, Boom’s sustainable supersonic airliner designed for twice the speed of current airliners and optimized for 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

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Boom Supersonic’s achievements in advancing flight preparations for XB-1 are a testament to their dedication to transforming air travel. With the completion of key milestones and the imminent historic first flight, Boom Supersonic is one step closer to making supersonic travel mainstream, revolutionizing the aviation industry, and paving the way for sustainable and efficient air transportation with Overture.

Read more about the XB-1 Here: https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/boom-supersonic-advances-flight-preparations-for-xb-1

Connect with Boom Supersonic on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube

SOURCE Boom Supersonic

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NASA is investing more than $14 million in 19 U.S. colleges and universities to grow their STEM capacity to participate in critical spaceflight research and prepare a new generation of diverse students for careers in the nation’s science, technology, engineering, and math workforce.

“These awards help NASA reach students and institutions that traditionally have had fewer opportunities in cutting-edge spaceflight research,” said Shahra Lambert, NASA’s senior advisor for engagement. “We want the Artemis Generation to feel excited and prepared to join us in tackling the scientific and technological challenges of space exploration.”

The new MUREP (Minority University Research and Education Project) Curriculum Award was established this year to help Minority-Serving Institutions strengthen their STEM academic offerings.

“Current research shows that developing new curricular pathways or adding to an existing STEM curriculum can help these colleges and universities attract more diverse groups of students to the kinds of research that align with NASA’s needs,” said Torry Johnson, the project’s manager.

NASA awarded five institutions a total of nearly $6 million to implement their curriculum-boosting projects. The selected institutions and their proposed projects are:

• Passaic County Community College, Paterson, New Jersey

PCCC Urban Climate Change Initiative

• Prince George’s Community College, Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Establishing STEM Majors at Prince George’s Community College

• University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Enhancing IDEAS at a Minority- and Hispanic-Serving Institution through research and education for underserved students in partnership with NASA

• The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas

Remote-sensing and Analytics for Integrating Science Education with NASA SMD to Strengthen Student Research Capacity at MSI (RAISE)

• University of the District of Columbia, Washington

Developing NASA-infused Curriculum and Experiential Research for Student Success in Space Technology

The MUREP Space Technology Artemis Research opportunity supports NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) by fostering and increasing MSI participation in research and technology development concepts that algin with the agency’s needs for upcoming Artemis missions to the Moon. The agency chose nine institutions, awarding a total of more than $8 million to carry out their projects.

“When we return humans to the Moon, it will be thanks to the creativity and dedication of researchers across the nation,” said Walt Engelund, deputy associate administrator for programs in STMD. “We’re proud to partner with OSTEM to foster the future of technology development and create opportunities for these institutions to contribute to NASA’s Artemis missions.”

The selected institutions and their proposed projects are:

• Cal Poly Pomona Foundation, Pomona, California

CubeSat Technology Exploration Program (CubeSTEP)

• California State University, Los Angeles

Additive Manufacturing on the Moon: Exploring the Potential of Laser Wire Directed Energy Deposition for Metallic Component Fabrication

• Cankdeska Cikana Community College, Fort Totten, North Dakota

The Research and Development of Extravehicular Activity Gait Assist Device

• Delaware State University, Dover

Constraining Exospheric Water Using Mid-IR Sensing and LIBS for Lunar Rover Missions

• College of the Desert, Palm Desert, California

A Penetrolyzer for Extracting Oxygen and Hydrogen from Mars Regolith

• Morgan State University, Baltimore

Muscular Atrophy Effects of Long Duration Human Exploration Mission on Vocal Fold Adduction for Airway Protection

• University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne

DREAM: Developing Robotic Exploration with Agrobots and Moonbots

• University of North Texas, Denton

Protective Thermal Electro-Chromic Coatings (ProTECC) for Lunar Exploration

• The University of Texas at Arlington

Rotating Detonation Rocket Engines for In-Space Propulsion: Integrating Technology Development with STEM Engagement

The International Space Station Flight Opportunity provides a ride to low Earth orbit for mature, flight-ready research projects that align with NASA’s science and technology priorities. This opportunity entails cooperation with NASA’s International Space Station Research Office, mission directorates, and field centers.

“These awards offer researchers a valuable opportunity to leverage the unique microgravity environment of the International Space Station as a platform or testbed, allowing them to conduct authentic spaceflight demonstrations based on their preliminary ground-based research,” said Dr. Kathleen Loftin, EPSCoR (Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) project manager. “By utilizing the space station as a proving ground, we accelerate the readiness of these technologies, bringing them one step closer to practical implementation.”

NASA selected five institutions to receive $100,000 each – $500,000, total – to complete their projects. These institutions and their proposed projects are:

• University of Delaware, Newark

Impact of Temperature Cycles and Outgassing on the Fiber-packaged Silicon Photonic Transceivers

• University of North Dakota, Grand Forks

Effect of Microgravity and Higher Radiation on Healing and Metastasis Potential of Omentum – ISS Flight Opportunity

• Nevada System of Higher Education

A Compact, Non-invasive, and Efficient Vision Screening System for Long-term Spaceflight Missions

• University of Kentucky, Lexington

KRUPS: ISS Flight for Telemetry and Recovery

• Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

Effect of Synergistic Space Effects on Properties of Novel Polymer Composite Materials

The awards are made possible through NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement and funded by MUREP, which provides resources and activities to support underserved students from K-12 through higher education, and EPSCoR, which partners with government, academia, and industry to improve research infrastructure in select U.S. jurisdictions.

Both MUREP awards were made through the annual Engagement Opportunities in NASA STEM FY 2023 solicitation. The EPSCoR ISS Flight Opportunity Award is also an annual solicitation. All the awards listed above have a three-year period of performance.

For more information about NASA STEM, visit:

https://stem.nasa.gov

Source: NASA