United States - Request for Information-Passive Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors for Small Satellites

Description

Added: Jun 25, 2019 3:17 pm

This is a Request for Information (RFI) and not a solicitation. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Sensors Directorate has interest in the demonstration of passive EO/IR sensor technologies with low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) for the purpose of space-based ISR from a constellation of small satellites (smallsats) in low Earth orbit (LEO). It is expected that low SWaP payloads can be manufactured at low cost to enable rapid development, test and integration into a smallsat platform. For the purposes of this RFI, “smallsats” may refer to any satellite with total mass less than 500kg, to include the payload and bus. This class of satellites includes 3U CubeSats and up. 

This RFI seeks to identify technologies and solutions that are potential candidates for high altitude balloon flight testing to be held around the middle of FY20 and beyond, followed by a satellite demonstration in LEO. Responders to this RFI should have already demonstrated experience with satellite payload development, as well as EO/IR sensing technologies, modeling and simulation of EO/IR sensor performance, real-time detection and tracking algorithms for on-board processing, and technology demonstrations at or above Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3.

Opportunity closing date

29 August 2019

Value of contract

to be confirmed