Space Micro Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: X224-OCSO1
Space Micro Inc. — SBIR Phase I award from Department of Defense.
Phase I SBIR feasibility signal
- Phase I awards fund proof-of-concept work. For capture teams, they mark early interest from Department of Defense in a technical approach.
- Watch for Phase II follow-ons from the same firm/topic family — that conversion path is where budgets and transition pressure rise.
- Obligated amount $74,960. Cross-check similar awards in the same agency and technology tags for going-rate context.
- Topic code X224-OCSO1 links this award to a solicitation family — search the same topic stem for incumbents and recompete timing.
- Amount
- $74,960
- Agency
- Department of Defense · Air Force
- Program / Phase
- SBIR · Phase I
- Topic
- X224-OCSO1
- Solicitation
- X22.4
- NAICS
- —
- Place of performance
- CA
- Period
- 2022-11-01 → 2023-02-03
Description
Space Micro and Stanford Research Institute (SRI) propose to drastically reduce SWAP-C of intersatellite free-space optical (FSO) communications (aka “Lasercom”) terminals using a magnetic levitated bearing with an optical phased array for planar beam expansion. Microrobots moving by magnetic levitation have been matured to TRL 6-7 by SRI. Vacuum operation has been demonstrated. Commercial Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) are maturing rapidly and are experiencing exponential growth reminiscent of the early days of silicon electronic ICs. Space Micro has previously developed and delivered free-space optical communications payloads for commercial space applications with advanced acquisition and tracking control. During phase I, we will perform the remaining system engineering to show how these technologies are combined to achieve an FSO terminal that does not require a heavy and expensive gimballed telescope.