Air Force chooses ATA Applied Technology Associates for free-space optical communications on spacecraft
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. – U.S. Air Force researchers needed a communications system with two-way time transfer operating within W- and V-bands with free-space optical links. They found their solution from ATA Applied Technology Associates in Albuquerque, N.M.
Officials of the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., have announced a $16.9 million contract to ATA (also-known as A-Tech Corp.) to develop a communication system with two-way time transfer operating within W- and V-bands and incorporating free space optical links.
This contract is part of the Air Force Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) project to develop enabling technologies for space flight, on-orbit servicing, debris management, controlled reentry, ground systems, communications links, command and control, advanced spacecraft manufacturing technologies, and space system user equipment.
ATA experts will model heterogeneous optical W- and V-band paste link hereoptical communications, develop its components, and demonstrate its potential for national defense applications in space.
This contract is part of the STAR program's initiative in space battle management, command, and control, which seeks to enable uninterrupted delivery of tactical, operational, and strategic space services within a contested environment.
The initiative seeks to achieve unprecedented domain awareness; accurate and timely battle management tools; and robust command and control options. It focuses on integration of allied, commercial, and non-traditional capabilities, data fusion, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related methods for rapid threat assessment and response; network-centric command and control concepts for air, sea, land, and space; and autonomy and on-board threat assessment algorithms to enhance satellite resiliency.
On this contract ATA will do the work in Albuquerque, N.M., and should be finished by October 2023. For more information contact ATA Applied Technology Associates online at www.atacorp.com, or the Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate at www.kirtland.af.mil/Units/AFRL-Space-Vehicles-Directorate.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
