Emergent Space Technologies, Inc. Selected to Present Cislunar Autopilot and Cybersecurity Flight Software at AFWERX's Space Asset Resiliency Challenge Showcase
Laurel, Maryland, September 15, 2020 – AFWERX, the catalyst for fostering innovation within the U.S. Air Force, announced Emergent Space Technologies, Inc. as one of the 178 top participating teams selected from The AFWERX Space Challenge initiative to exhibit at EngageSpace, a virtual two-day event on September 29-30, 2020.
The AFWERX Space Challenge initiative is made up of four challenges targeted at creating integrated space operations leveraging the best in technology while maintaining security, being resilient and increasing agility. Four challenges were run concurrently focused on separate topics – Persistent ISR, DoD Commercial Space Partnerships, Global Space Transport and Delivery and Space Asset Resiliency.
Located in Laurel, Emergent is competing in the Space Asset Resiliency Challenge alongside a diverse group of teams that represent entrepreneurial startups, small businesses, large enterprises, academic institutions and research labs. “The solutions submitted for these space challenges represent the bleeding edge of space innovation,” stated Brennan Townley, AFWERX Challenge Collaboration Lead. “We’re excited to highlight these innovators and connect them with opportunities across the Space ecosystem.”
The Space Asset Resiliency Challenge strives to increase the longevity of our space assets by increasing their durability against the unique space environment and enemy threats. Emergent offered two solutions to AFWERX for the challenge. The Cislunar Autopilot is based on the software-enabled integration of PNT and GN&C sensors commonly deployed to spacecraft, i.e., GPS receivers, chip-scale atomic clocks, star trackers, optical cameras, etc. Weak-signal, fast-acquisition GPS receiver technology is used when GPS signals are available and alterative PNT technology such as optical navigation when they are not. Autonomous GN&C algorithms for optimal trajectory designs and maneuvers are implemented to translate and rotate the spacecraft while accounting for the characteristics of the spacecraft bus, its propulsion system and the complex dynamics of the Earth-Moon gravity field. Invariant manifolds of the planar circular restricted 3-body problem are used to design initial guess trajectories from the Earth to the Moon, which are subsequently optimized using genetic algorithms and simulated annealing techniques.
Next, Emergent’s space cloud computing software platform, Cirrus, provides flight software for Network, Compute, Storage, Sensor, and Asset Scheduler Services to space vehicles designed for integration into the National Defense Space Architecture. This proposal develops the Cybersecurity Service. Cirrus currently supports containerized execution of tasks, enforcement of resource usage limits, and priority-based access to onboard resources. Cirrus services can be leveraged for a wide array of mission concepts where onboard computational algorithms and tasks can rapidly be updated without the need for flight software updates. Those tasks can also utilize sensor and other data products distributed across a constellation with the Cirrus Storage service. Example Cirrus use cases include real-time sensor data processing, running of machine-learning algorithms such as ship and feature detection from Earth imagery on current and neighborhood spacecraft, autonomy and fault tolerance of distributed onboard tasks, routing of Cirrus messages to and from assets on different networks such as Warfighter consoles or UAVs, and much more. Cyber Service development will focus on data and app integrity verification, vulnerability assessments of scripts, system partitioning, and watchdog services.
The EngageSpace event will feature highly engaging opportunities to connect, educate and innovate with other like-minded attendees, industry leaders, individual innovators, academia, investors, as well as military and government leaders. The entire event is designed to transform and accelerate the industry and enable government buyers to pursue the most promising innovative solutions to the most pressing and threatening Space scenarios. Register for the EngageSpace event by visiting https://engage.space.
“Emergent is honored to be amongst the teams selected to participate in the AFWERX Space Challenge”, said Dr. George Davis, Emergent’s founder and CEO. “We are focusing our technology development on the emerging needs of the Space Force, particularly in autonomy, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications for agile, rapidly-deployed small spacecraft systems. Our Cislunar Autopilot seeks to apply the same approaches used to develop autonomous cars to spacecraft to provide the Space Force with unfettered mobility throughout the Earth-Moon system. The Cybersecurity service for our space cloud computing platform, Cirrus, is a mission critical component for distributed, networked spacecraft designed to operate in the National Defense Space Architecture and leverage cloud computing technology for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.”
The AFWERX Space Challenge initiative is made up of four challenges targeted at creating integrated space operations leveraging the best in technology while maintaining security, being resilient and increasing agility. Four challenges were run concurrently focused on separate topics – Persistent ISR, DoD Commercial Space Partnerships, Global Space Transport and Delivery and Space Asset Resiliency.
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About AFWERX
Established in 2017, AFWERX is a product of the U.S. Air Force, directly envisioned by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson. Her vision of AFWERX — to solve some of the toughest challenges that the Air Force faces through innovation and collaboration amongst our nation’s top subject matter experts. AFWERX serves as a catalyst to unleash new approaches for the warfighter through a growing ecosystem of innovators. AFWERX and the U.S. Air Force are committed to exploring viable solutions and partnerships to further strengthen the Air Force, which could lead to additional prototyping, R&D, and follow-on production contracts.
Fast Company named AFWERX Best Workplaces for Innovators on the 2020 List, honoring the top 100 businesses and organizations that demonstrate a deep commitment to encouraging innovation at all levels. AFWERX, U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm and catalyst for fostering innovation within the Air Force, came in at #16 ranking in the top 20 alongside brands such as Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Preview the live announcement with Stephanie Mehta, Editor-in-Chief of Fast Company, unveiled during the AFWERX Fusion 2020 Base of the Future Event & Showcase.
Media Contacts:
Tracy Skenandore / Makenzie Coombs: [email protected]