A TACTICALLY RESPONSIVE SPACE-DRONE FOR ENHANCED NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEFENSE

This project focuses on researching the feasibility of deploying a high performance reusable spacecraft called BlackStar. The BlackStar is a SmallSat Class satellite in a spaceplane form factor enabling an effective hybrid design for multi-use and reconfiguration. Weighing 200kg, with 20U/40kg reserved for payload capacity, the vehicle is designed to be reusable with last-mile delivery for all orbits and on-earth return. Its common-core architecture allows for quick assembly, hundreds of mission profiles, and re-use for new mission requirements. This SBIR will be conducted in three main parts: customer acquisition, feasibility study draft, and peer review for delivery. Each part is structured to validate the technology feasibility, optimize its performance, and prepare for Phase II commercialization. The anticipated benefits of this project include finalizing stakeholder requirements, baselining technical capabilities, and pathfinding toward the Design Review milestones. ???????BlackStar differentiates from existing solutions with its small, integrated satellite bus built into a hypersonic airframe, undercutting aging methodologies which are almost exclusive to capsules and traditional satellite designs. This enhances the national space posture and provides a scalable, cost-effective solution to the emerging threats in Low Earth Orbit.  The payload aboard BlackStar is designed to be nestled inside the body of the craft and deployed on an attached rail after reaching orbit. The common-core architecture provides capability to integrate the government Space Domain Awareness payload described in the solicitation.  The vehicle is capable of agile maneuvering, imparting up to 1800m/s delta V on the 40kg payload, and the ability to conduct rendezvous, proximity operations, docking with other spacecraft to perform assessment, assisted maneuver, or sustainment activities. These capabilities are designed to meet the commercial demands for refueling and debris operations. Agile responsiveness is replicated in the design of this space drone through placement of unique but commercially available off-the-shelf hardware. It is designed for autonomous operations through the use of unique but commercially available operations software, ground control systems and mission operations systems.  The mission operations and readiness capabilities can be rapidly deployed, with the vehicle initializing mission operations within 48-hours of reaching orbit. Our mission personnel can act without full prior knowledge of the mission. The personnel team is able to maintain an alert status as required. We provide necessary mission planning, training and conduct on-orbit operations as directed. The BlackStar has all the hallmarks of a highly advantageous next generation solution for enhanced National Security operating in the increasingly contested domain of Low Earth Orbit.