Fusion of Information for Response to Space Threats (FIRST)

ABSTRACT: Barron Associates, Inc. proposes an aggressive Phase II effort to make on-board threat information fusion technology available for future DoD, National, and commercial space systems. Fusion of Information for Response to Space Threats (FIRST) encompasses three key technical components: (1) autonomous detection algorithms enabled by a unique sensor and on-board processing; (2) recursive Bayesian state estimation/prediction that integrates diverse information sources to monitor threat behavior; and (3) statistical decision support algorithms that employ predictive knowledge of threat state and state uncertainties to enable autonomous responses appropriate to risk severity and likelihood. The Phase II plan aggressively pursues advancement of this technology through development of autonomous sensor technology, flight code integration, simulations, and hardware demonstrations. BENEFIT: Operational implementation of this technology is anticipated as part of a spacecraft protection system on future military and civil platforms. The Phase II effort will place Barron Associates in a unique position to pursue our marketing strategy of partnering with major aerospace prime contractors for integration of specialized capabilities. Barron Associates will pursue commercialization of the proposed technology through a three-pronged approach. First, the effort will open consulting services and contract R & D opportunities for integrating on-board spacecraft protection technologies into future systems. Second, we will pursue commercialization of sensor fusion algorithms produced in this effort, leveraging the company"s past successes in licensing specialized analysis and design software. Finally, we will pursue direct opportunities to commercialize sensor electronics in spin-off ventures that exploit the intellectual property developed in the proposed program.