Advanced Coordinated Control, Formation Flying for Nano-Satellite Applications

The focus and priority of this topic is seeking innovative space-based remote sensor capabilities supporting all-weather, day-night imaging capability.Preliminary research assessments highlight the availability of next generation device/component technologies and outline novel approaches for creating flotillas, swarms, and/or formations of nano-satellites with multi-faceted functions and sensor capabilities. While each individual satellite should have a specific sensor or control function, the overall formation/swarm should have a greater function and be greater than the sum of its parts. Of particular interest are solutions with multiple onboard processing computer clusters, very high bandwidth communications architectures, imagery collection/dissemination, SAR/ISAR, MASINT, and GPS alternatives.Current small satellites such as cubesats are limited with power due to size and weight issues. Of particular interest is new power storage, collection, handling, and distribution concepts that will enable higher power components for communications and active sensors. Power requirements for a distributed aperture RF/EO system must be determined in order to develop a flotilla craft design.Solutions should target the goals defined here and should be scalable across a network of mobile ground, air, sea, and space devices.