Telemetry Buoy - TM Collection System

Future, large footprint weapon systems can benefit from inexpensive telemetry collection assets that could be easily and quickly deployed in open-ocean and could either store the data for later pickup, or retransmit the data either on command from shore or autonomously. A low-cost telemetry collection system on buoys would enable development, testing, and evaluation of new weapon systems using realistic test scenarios. The limited availability and high operating cost of existing mobile test range assets threatens the effectiveness of future weapon systems development. The overarching objective of this project is to develop and deploy low-cost autonomous telemetry-collection systems for operation in open waters. The systems will remotely auto-track and relay S-Band telemetry data from test vehicles during their flight paths over open waters. ASTRA proposes to leverage our decades of experience in RF applications, sensor deployments from buoys, spaceborne telemetry, ground-systems, and modern radio technologies to develop a system concept that will extend DARPAs capability for telemetry collection over the oceanic region. The expected outcome of the Phase I research effort will be a system design for the telemetry collection buoy, a feasibility study of the design, and a notional CONOPS.