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Category |
Opportunity |
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DoD Communities of Interest |
Space |
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Subject |
AFWERX Smart Spacecraft Market Research |
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Due Date |
8 April 2021 |
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Government Organization |
AFWERX |
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Description Background: AFWERX is seeking diverse industry partnerships and engagement to identify key technology sectors under the Smart Spacecraft campaign. If “primed” by government engagement, it could advance US national security and economic interests. This campaign is part of Space Prime initiative. Details of Smart Spacecraft: From the previous analysis, example technologies that might enable Smart Spacecraft systems are advanced onboard computation, advanced sensing, artificial intelligence, (trusted) autonomy, data analytics, and fusion, trusted autonomous cybersecurity, trusted autonomous cross satellite communications, trusted autonomous satellite Position Navigation Timing, trusted autonomous collision avoidance, autonomous orbit raising, distributed computation, common (standardized) components and buses, advanced electric and nuclear in-space propulsion, and advanced/agile production and manufacturing. Potential capabilities that Smart Spacecraft systems might enable include advanced in-space maneuvering, in-space servicing, refueling, resupply, upgrade, assembly and manufacturing, debris removal, internet-in-space, cross-layer satellite communication, and cloud computing, space domain, and situational awareness, and on-demand remote sensing and connectivity. Why Smart Spacecraft? The Smart Spacecraft theme is considered due to the strategic importance to both the US Department of Defense and the US industrial sector. It is determined that the US government can provide financial and technical support while removing barriers to market advancement and beneficial collaboration opportunities exist between industry, investors, and the US government. Involved Government Stakeholders: - US Space Force (USSF) Team from the Space and Missile Systems Center We seek feedback from industry, investors, academia, and government to inform how the Smart Spacecraft initiative will be structured. The feedback received through this survey will be used to establish a program that will be funded to quickly advance technology maturity, investment readiness, and market adoption of commercial capabilities toward Smart Spacecraft and derived business opportunities. What’s in it for Industry? Because this initiative seeks to engage private industry and “prime” investment alongside the US government, there are several value propositions that the industry can expect. The Space Prime initiative will result in a program funded at the Secretary of the Air Force level. The exact value is yet to be determined and will be based, in part, on the feedback gained through this Market Survey. Additional value can be expected through the opportunity to collaborate with the US Space Force, the US Air Force, and the US defense industry in developing capabilities in support of US defense needs. Next Steps: The Market Research will be open for submissions until 8:59 pm PST on April 8th. Upon completion of the market research, the Smart Spacecraft concept will be refined as appropriate, leading to the program's formal launch sometime in the spring or summer of 2021. The launch will be through an invitation to apply. It will seek proposals from teams made up of industry, academia, and non-profits to develop Smart Spacecraft systems and capabilities demonstrated on-orbit within a 36-month timeframe. It is expected that proposed concepts will also involve partnerships with private investors and a cross-section of the federal government to enable rapid launch to orbit and/or streamline and expedite processes that otherwise might prevent demonstration within 36 months. Funding and other support decisions will be made upon completion of the review of submissions, more details will be provided at the time of launch. Smart Spacecraft Confidential Market Research Note: All submitted responses are confidential and will be viewed and analyzed solely by the Air and Space Force teams. Participants do not have to answer all questions to submit market research feedback. However, the value of the market research is dependent on the quality and depth of the responses. |
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