Variable Size, Repeatedly Deployable, Ultra-lightweight Space Targets [7286-160]

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a Microsatellite-based Target System (MTS) that can form and deploy extremely lightweight, hollow, spherical targets with good radar and optical reflectivity. The system will be capable of deploying single or multiple spherical targets from small injectors (~ 1 cm diameter) located around the spacecraft. Each target can be deployed in such a way that its final size can be varied from tens of centimeters to a few meters diameter depending on the need. This ability to repeatedly form targets of different sizes is a distinguishing characteristic of our approach, making it a truly polymorphic target system capable of changing optical/radar signature of a microsatellite. In Phase I, we will experimentally investigate materials and fabrication methods for the target. We will measure optical and radar reflectivity and its dependence on physical characteristics of the target. In Phase II we will develop protoflight hardware for integration and launch on a space mission, followed by space validation testing in Phase III.