Space Technology

This project develops the technologies to perform faster, well-informed decision making for space operations, enhanced mission assurance of critical space services, and integrate space with joint operational picture for protecting United States space assets, in potentially hostile environments, to assure continued space system operation. The project provides transitionable technology and knowledge to enable speed-of-light protection, many-on-many engagement and defense, and new orbit regimes despite growing threat impunity. This project also encompasses efforts to expand the University Consortium for Space Research to address research needs unique to the United States Space Force.

This project is a pervasive portfolio pursuing a broad range of emerging technologies targeted for application and insertion in the future national space architecture. The project focuses on spacecraft components including: structures; power; thermal management; electronics; guidance, navigation and control, and robotics/logistics modules for rendezvous and proximity operations and docking activities. Leap-ahead capability is provided utilizing in-house expertise and laboratories, and by leveraging the creativity and innovation of the Nation's industry, universities, and national laboratories to conduct applied research. The project maintains core competencies in astrodynamics, controls, electronics, materials, power, structures, and thermal, and provides foundational technologies supporting all space mission areas.

This project conducts research advancing ground-based optical space domain awareness, techniques to counter laser threats to space craft, and laser applications towards ground-to-space quantum communication.

This project develops advanced technologies that enhance spacecraft payload operations by improving materials/component, networking, analysis tools, and subsystem capabilities. This project focuses on identifying and developing technologies that enable new, or enhance existing, communication, positioning, navigation, and timing satellite capabilities, as well as developing technologies and models that support space based surveillance and space asset protection.

This project develops technologies to ensure spacecraft survivability and to enhance surveillance of the space operating environment. Technology development to enhance the ability of space assets to operate effectively despite the challenges of the space environment. This includes developing radiation-hardened electronics and technologies to understand and mitigate impacts of the space environment. The focus is on characterizing and forecasting the battlespace environment for more realistic space system design, modeling, and simulation, as well as the battlespace environment's effect on space systems' performance. This includes technologies to specify and forecast the space environment for planning operations, ensure uninterrupted system performance, optimize space-based surveillance operations, and provide capability to mitigate or exploit the space environment for both offensive and defensive operations.

This project develops and demonstrates rocket and alternate concepts space and strategic propulsion technologies for space access and space maneuver. Analytical and experimental areas of emphasis are propellants, propellant management, combustion, rocket material applications, and innovative space access and in space propulsion concepts. Technologies of interest will improve reliability, performance, survivability, affordability, and environmental compatibility of these systems. Develop technologies to reduce the weight and cost of components using new materials and improved designs and manufacturing techniques. All efforts in this project contribute to the sustainment and growth of the space, and rocket propulsion industry, providing space access and in space propulsion technology for the entire Department of War (DoW). Technologies under this project enable capabilities of interest to DoW, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and growing Space community. Tasks include proof of concept tests of critical components; advanced component development; and ground-based tests. This project develops next generation of physics-based modeling, simulation, and analysis (MS&A) tools for rapid and agile space access and in-space propulsion design, analysis, and production, as well as the digital engineering concepts to manage the entire process of design, test, and validation of space access and in-space systems. This project also secures National Unique Testing Assets, providing unmatched capabilities that underpin technological leadership and ensure the safety and security of our nation. All thrusts are reviewed by a DoW level steering committee yearly for relevance to DoW missions, and the associated support costs.

This project develops multidisciplinary applied research efforts to accelerate the technology pipeline of transformational capabilities by reducing risk and maturing technologies so they can transition in support of larger advanced technology development capability investments. These activities are selected to enable solutions to the Department of the Air Force (DAF) highest priorities. The Explore effort engages traditional & non-traditional industry, government laboratories, and academia through 12-24 month feasibility studies and demonstrations. The Seedlings for Disruptive Capabilities Program (SDCP) facilitates Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) cross-disciplinary applied research to provide leap-ahead, high risk technology development. Applied research efforts span a broad spectrum of activities, and established processes to allow agility and flexibility to meet higher demand signals. AFRL will plan and manage these funds at the enterprise level to achieve a high level of collaboration executed across all the applicable Technology Directorates and will apply the research toward disruptive capabilities. Building off the technology competencies and ecosystems of the Technology Directorates brings together the needed expertise and components to develop the transformational capabilities.