SBIR-STTR Award

Space Based Autonomous Flight Termination and Telemetry System (SBAFTTS) for launch vehicles will develop algorithms and hardware needed to implement a new tracking/telemetry paradigm that enables lower cost and more responsive launches. Current space launch operations require an extensive network of ground-based tracking and communications sites that provide support for a limited geographic area. These sites require long turnaround times and are costly to maintain due to obsolete equipment, staffing cost and remote locations. By using space-based assets for tracking and communications along with autonomous intelligent software flight termination capabilities, future ranges will have lower cost, reduced complexity and faster turnaround time while continuing to provide unsurpassed safety. This proposed system will provide tracking data to the onboard Autonomous Flight Termination System (AFTS) part of this proposed system and to the ground over satellite without deploying down range assets. An optional Range Safety tracking and termination command link to/from the range launch head and/or over satellite will be provided to add an extra margin of safety during the initial phase of launch, the most critical. The AFTS can have the primary flight termination responsibility or take over if either the Range Safety communications is lost or when out of range.

This Phase II project demonstrates the feasibility of developing a Space-based Autonomous Flight Termination and Telemetry System (SAFTTS) for use with launch vehicles and other avionics/weapons platforms through developing and building a proof-of-concept prototype. The objective for developing SAFTTS is to support the Air Force’s objective of Operationally Responsive Space through demonstrating technologies that reduce significantly the cost and scheduling hurdles presently associated with launch vehicle operations. Current space launch operations require extensive networks of remote, ground-based tracking and communications sites to provide Range support, and are available only at limited geographic launch areas. Existing Ranges require long turnaround times and are costly to use due to aging equipment costs and fixed staffing costs. Using space-based assets for tracking and communications functions, along with on-board autonomous intelligent software flight termination capabilities, can combine to lessen launch/operating costs, reduce logistics and launch complexity, and reduce turnaround time, all while continuing to provide unsurpassed safety. Development of key “Destruct” algorithms identified and started in Phase I and used by today’s Range Safety Officers (RSO) is proposed. All proof-of-concept equipment will be flight-qualifiable and have a clearly visible path to full flight-qualified status upon successfully demonstrating operational characteristics during the proposed work.

Keywords:
Autonomous Flight Termination System, Launch Vehicle Safety System, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Safety System, Hypersonic Vehicle Flight Safety System,