September 25, 2000

MICHIGAN AEROSPACE IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS BEEN AWARDED A PHASE II SBIR FROM DARPA FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AN AUTONOMOUS SATELLITE DOCKING SYSTEM

This 14-month effort will coincide with DARPA's Orbital Express program, the goal of which is to develop the capability for performing on-orbit servicing of critical space assets. The Phase II effort will include final design of the docking and servicing mechanism along with testing of the mechanism and other subsystems at Marshall Space Flight Center's Flight Robotics Laboratory.

Contact Information:
Principal Investigator: Pete Tchoryk
Telephone: 734 975-8777 x108
ptchoryk@michiganaerospace.com

August 16, 2000

MICROCOSM HAS ANNOUNCED THAT MICHIGAN AEROSPACE CORPORATION WILL BE AWARDED A SUBCONTRACT TO ASSIST THEM ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION "ALTERNATIVE ACCESS TO STATION" PROGRAM FUNDED BY NASA MARSHALL.

Microcosm was recently awarded a contract from NASA Marshall to study alternative cargo delivery services to the International Space Station, titled Alternative Access to Station. Michigan Aerospace is on the Microcosm team and will assist with the docking mechanism and sensor components of the system. This effort is a three-month study to identify and refine requirements for such a service and to identify candidate systems. Follow-on contracts may include larger efforts to design and implement such a candidate system/service. The Alternative Access to Station study is a small business set-aside, aimed in part at assisting the development of commercial launch vehicles. The study assesses three phases of support: 1) launch vehicle to LEO transport, 2) transfer of the cargo from LEO to the ISS approach ellipse, and 3) proximity operations at the ISS. There are also requirements for both a large cargo size (4000 lbs) and a small cargo size (300-1000 lbs) that can be handled separately or together, and a requirement for controlled reentry of cargo, such as waste material. The contract will begin in August, 2000, with study completion in mid-November.

Contact Information:
Pete Tchoryk
Telephone: 734 975-8777 x108
ptchoryk@michiganaerospace.com

April 6, 2000

MICHIGAN AEROSPACE CORPORATION IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT IT HAS BEEN AWARDED A PHASE I SBIR FROM THE NAVY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A JOINT OPTICAL AIR DATA SYSTEM (JOADS) INTENDED FOR THE JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER (JSF).

Joint Optical Air Data System (JOADS) Project Summary:

The Molecular Optical Air Data System (MOADS) is a compact optical instrument that can directly measure wind speed and direction, temperature, and density of the air ahead of an aircraft. From these measurements, all of the air data products can be determined. MOADS is a direct detection system (i.e., it is based on incoherent rather than coherent detection) and does not require the presence of aerosols to make these measurements. This low observable system replaces pitot probe and alpha/beta sensors and has the growth potential for wind shear detection and gust alleviation/clear air turbulence. A significant level of effort has gone into the existing MOADS prototype, which is scheduled for a flight demonstration in 2000. This Phase I effort will result in a design for the next generation MOADS instrument based on Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) air data requirements. Based on lessons learned from the existing prototype, specific improvements have been identified that will increase the accuracy and update rate of the next system. A technology maturation path for critical items, such as the laser, will also be identified.

Commercialization Potential:
Through the Alternative Technology Air Data System (ATADS) study and current programs with the Air Force and Navy, MOADS was shown to be a viable option as an Air Data System by meeting the performance and installation requirements of an aircraft such as the F-117A. The potential exists, therefore, for application toward Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) and other tactical and commercial aircraft. The opportunity presented in this SBIR is also significant in that it allows us to begin considering other applications of MOADS in addition to measuring air data products. The multiple-use of MOADS as a wind shear, gust alleviation, clear air turbulence sensor greatly expands the market potential into the commercial realm.