The following selections by the NASA SBIR program are relevant to Heliophysics (to see all selections click here)
- An Advanced Surface Flux Transport Model for Space Weather: enhancing space weather forecasting by producing high-resolution, solar magnetic field maps through advanced Surface Flux Transport modeling by Predictive Science Incorporated
- Commercial data assimilation tool for operational thermospheric density: developing a new tool to provide accurate thermospheric density nowcasts and forecasts by Space Environment Technologies
- THz Mixers, Receivers, and LO Sources for Heliophysics: developing receivers and sources extendable to 1-5 THz range by Virginia Diodes, Inc
- 6 Meter Antenna and Boom System for CubeSats: developing a new modular CubeSat scale, 6.5 mm free coil (FC) diameter, 6 m length passively deployed antenna and instrument boom system by Heliospace Corporation
An Advanced Surface Flux Transport Model for Space Weather (S14.01-1005) – Predictive Science Incorporated
The solar magnetic field (B) plays a key role in solar and heliospheric physics and is a crucial input for Space Weather Models. This input is in the form of full-Sun maps of B. Standard observatory maps are constructed diachronically and contain data that is as much as 27 days old. Assimilative Surface Flux transport (SFT) models can improve upon this input, by incorporating known surface flows and processes to produce a continuous approximation of the state of the photospheric magnetic field, as a sequence maps. These synchronic maps can allow space weather models to produce more accurate results. To assess uncertainty and sensitivity of solutions, SFT should produce multiple map realization sequences. Presently available SFTs are based on legacy codes that computationally can provide only a small number of realizations at low resolution in a practical amount of time. None are open source. In phase I, we developed OFTSWA (OFT for Space Weather Applications), an advanced SFT that acquires and assimilate magnetograms and produces multiple realizations at high resolution that estimate the present state of the Sun’s surface magnetic field. In phase II, Predictive Science Inc. will deliver an updated OFTSWA to NASA CCMC and a living database of map realizations with interfaces and tools that allow rapid assessment of the fidelity of maps for space weather models and applications. Within NASA, OFTSWA will be beneficial to the Community Coordinate Modeling Center (CCMC), especially as part of their support to the Moon to Mars Space weather Analysis Office. Outside NASA, NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and the Air Force also require solar magnetic maps for Space Weather Models.
Commercial data assimilation tool for operational thermospheric density (S14.01-1017) – Space Environment Technologies
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) is becoming more congested as the number of satellites continues to grow with the rising popularity and establishment of SmallSat constellations. Accordingly, there is strong interest by U.S. agencies, companies, and international organizations to manage LEO collision hazards. Improved thermospheric density nowcasts and forecasts are a critical need identified by the Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM) Working Group, a Federal interagency coordinating body. To fill this need, the work proposed here will provide a commercial data assimilation (DA) tool that combines various data sources to provide a corrected global density state. The nowcast corrected global density state can then be combined with Space Environment Technologies (SET) operational forecast space weather indices to produce a forecast global density state 2- to 3-days in the future. With a team of investigators that have deep experience with the development of HASDM, this Phase II work will fully construct Solari, a commercial DA tool that assimilates radar tracking data and Space Force Energy Dissipation Rates (EDRs) of calibration satellites to correct multiple background density models simultaneously and produce a global density state. The end goal is an operational commercial density nowcast and forecast data stream, with corresponding uncertainties, that offers accuracy comparable to that of HASDM. The commercial DA tool will have a flexible architecture that allows for expansion of additional measurement data sources, such as satellite GPS data, in the future. We consider four cases of growth for our commercial data assimilation tool to improve thermosphere density forecasts: civilian agency satellites, defense applications, commercial satellites, and space traffic management.
THz Mixers, Receivers, and LO Sources for Heliophysics (S14.02-1010) – Virginia Diodes, Inc
Virginia Diodes, Inc primary goal is the development of receivers and sources that can eventually be extended throughout the 1 to 5 THz range for commercial and scientific applications. This goal will be achieved by initially focusing on the most promising receiver technologies to enable NASA missions to measure the OI lines at 2.06 THz and 4.75 THz for heliophysics. The project has five objectives (1) Development of a fundamental mixer to be used with a QCL LO source for heliophysics at 4.75 THz. This project supports only the mixer development, not the QCL. (2) The development of a 4.75 THz microwatt test source for the evaluation of both the VDI mixer and NASA receiver system (mixer and QCL LO). (3) Development of a 1.03 THz LO source for 2.06 THz heliophysics receivers. The goals are >2.0 mW and minimal SWaP for SmallSat applications. (4) The development of a 2.06 THz subharmonically pumped mixer. (5) The integration of the LO source and mixer to realize a deliverable 2.06 receiver system meeting the core requirements for a heliophysics mission. NASA funds will be used for personnel (design, diode-IC fabrication, assembly, testing, and evaluation), power amplifier MMICs, and custom machined waveguide housings. The initial target market is atmospheric remote sensing and heliophysics research. Additional markets include plasma diagnostics for nuclear fusion experiments, QCL phase locking and testing, and general test and measurement. The components developed for the sources will also be marketed for commercial and scientific applications.
6 Meter Antenna and Boom System for CubeSats (S14.02-1013) – Heliospace Corporation
Heliospace Corporation proposes accelerated development of a modular CubeSat scale, 6.5 mm free coil (FC) diameter, 6 m length passively deployed antenna and instrument boom system. While Heliospace has produced similar antennas up to 2.7 m deployed length, demonstrating feasibility beyond 3 m requires a focused research and development effort which, unless performed prior to and independently of mission formulation, limits the perceived suitability of the technology to scientific and other objectives. Heliospace and its partners have continued to develop a new type of BeCu helical element, whose production methods were successfully scaled down and achieved TRL 4 in Phase I. The elements are ready for application in a new CubeSat-class family of Heliospace SABER (Spiral Actuated Boom, Extended and Rigidized) products. Phase II intends to develop and qualify multiple configurations of this modular system for TRL 6. New and highly compact SABER root stabilizing mechanisms are the minimum required advancement for the next generation of antennas and CubeSat scale applications. New specialized tethers and payout systems including compact brakes and slip rings are required for instrumented boom applications. Proving the capability of new commercial partners to produce highly flexible tethers having embedded conductors and a means of supporting the deployment tensile loads for support of deployed sensors, is critical for instrumented booms. The technical innovations described will result in significant increase of achievable deployed length over previous CubeSat antenna and boom systems, improved accuracy, precision and repeatability of form and rigidity, and reduced disturbance of small-spacecraft dynamics during deployment. The innovations will also reduce the engineering time needed to adapt the system to specific applications and eliminate manufacturing time associated with iterative deployment testing and tuning necessary for currently bespoke solutions.