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Category |
Opportunity |
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DoD Communities of Interest |
Space |
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Subject |
AFWERX Space Prime Smart Spacecraft Confidential Market Research |
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Due Date |
9 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, that if “primed” by government engagement, could advance US national security and economic interests. This campaign is part of the Space Prime initiative. Details of Smart Spacecraft: From 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 being 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: Objective of the Market Research: We are seeking 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 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 released on January 20 and will be open for submissions until 8:59pm PST on April 8th. Upon completion of the market research, the Smart Spacecraft concept will be refined as appropriate, leading to the formal launch of the program 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 that can be demonstrated on-orbit within a 36-month timeframe. It is expected that proposed concepts will also involve partnerships with private investors and with a cross-section of the federal government to enable rapid launch to orbit and/or to 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. Space Prime: Following on the heels of the successful Agility Prime initiative, the Secretary of the Air Force has established Space Prime to accelerate the commercial market and stimulate industry investment (i.e., “prime the pump”) in a key space technology sector of importance to both US and national security interests. Space Prime's current aim is to prime a tech sector that enables and protects the ability to trade, maneuver, and expand in space. Morgan Stanley projects the space economy will increase from $350B to $1T in 2040. This expansion is being led by commercial ventures and entrepreneurs on a scale not seen since US territorial expansion in the 1800s. The current dominant segments driving commercial market growth in space are remote sensing and connectivity. As space access continues to grow and as on-board data computation and distribution continues to advance, other space market segments are poised to grow similarly. In particular, in-space mobility, transport, logistics, and in-space data transport and access represent two burgeoning markets that, when taken together, open larger up-stream and down-stream commercial business opportunities. At the same time, the maturation of these segments will have significant US National Security implications by enabling US government activities to maintain space domain awareness, create and expand space capability architectures, and further allow freedom of operations in and through space for domestic and allied interests. With this in mind, the questions asked in our market research campaigns are meant to inform: Are there investments that the Department of Defense (DoD) can leverage to unlock an entire industry to accelerate the commercial sector? Are there non-monetary hurdles that the DoD can remove to unlock an entire industry to accelerate the commercial sector, for example, regulatory support? Space Prime is initially seeking to accelerate the market for Smart Spacecraft. Similar to the modern “smart” revolution seen in consumer electronics, drones, and cars, the development of Smart Spacecraft will enable an expansion of in-space and space-to-earth capabilities, space mission sets, and business opportunities. Orbital debris removal, in-space servicing, in-space manufacturing, distributed on-orbit computing (internet in space), and in-space domain awareness are just a few examples of opportunities that Smart Spacecraft might enable, and there are many others. Beyond Smart Spacecraft, we will also look to expand Space Prime to also focus on: - In-orbit servicing/manufacturing |
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