In-Situ Space Weather Analysis

The goal of this Phase 1 SBIR is for Orbotic Systems to prove the feasibility of generating in-situ, global, ionospheric­thermospheric neutral density and wind ion data on a near real-time basis. Orbotic Systems is developing an instrument called WIND (Wind Ion Neutral Density). This proposal leverages Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 and 8 hardware and software as the basis to develop a new generation of space-based space weather observation remote sensors inside of a CubeSat platform. As fully described in this proposal's Technical Content section, the WIND instrument builds on the earlier success of the space-qualified WINCS instrument (Wind Ion Neutral Composition Suite), flown on the following missions: GPIM, STPSat-3, SENSE (CubeSat), Politech.1 (CubeSat), CADRE (CubeSat). Recent Orbotic Systems discussions with NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) show that there is a clear need to generate global atmospheric neutral density data on a real-time basis in the 200km to 700km altitude range. Orbotic Systems is responsive to this need and has identified a means to obtain in-situ density readings to assist NOAA and the private sector in space weather forecasting efforts. Further, WIND will validate SWPC models and other data-assimilation thermospheric models. The Phase 1 deliverables will establish the requirements for a WIND prototype.