The Challenge

This is one of the most exciting times in the space industry. The accelerated pace of innovation across multiple use cases is being driven by the growth of a robust commercial sector, potential adversarial threats, and rapidly advancing technology. Opportunities are arising in dual-use commercial businesses and government applications.

The pace and breadth of innovation supported by the value chain of innovators, funders and operators is critical. Innovators from crossover industries are creating a waterfront of fundable startups that are moving our efforts in space forward as successful business. And the new technologies we advance will allow us to operate in space in sustainable ways that were previously only science fiction.

The Challenge Details

Space is a constant consideration across industrial, scientific and governmental concerns. Manufacturing, commercial needs, pure and applied research, and government, require our "local space neighborhood" - Low, Medium, and Geosynchronous Earth Orbits - be maintained to increase access, assure safety and ensure secure operational environments. These concerns are receiving dual use attention from commercial and government. There is a strong opportunity for crossover innovations from commercial space and non-space.

The Aerospace Corporation is interested in working with innovators in the following spaces to identify pertinent teams and innovations:

Space Traffic Management:

With many national and commercial operators, some adversarial, it is important to ensure safe and efficient operation of spacecraft and satellites in orbit.

• How do we keep our local space neighborhood safe and secure?
• How can space operators avoid hazardous situations such as micro-debris, other satellites, and nefarious actors?
• How can operators be responsible stewards of their own impact to our local space neighborhood? 

Enabling the Circular Space Economy:

It is estimated there are over 100 million pieces of space debris, and tens of thousands of larger pieces of debris like defunct satellites and spent rocket segments orbiting in our local space neighborhood. It takes a lot of energy to put things in space – and once there, they can stay there potentially forever.

• How can we reduce the energy burden to access space?
• How can we reduce the environmental impact on Earth to create new space systems?
• How do we clean up "forever trash" by re-purposing, recycling, or re-using things we put in space?

Maneuvering In and Moving More Efficiently Through Space

Today, satellite maneuverability depends on the matrix of the satellite's mass, the power it can collect from the sun and/or store onboard, and the volume and type of chemicals carried on board that must be burned or ionized to produce thrust.

• Warp drives and hyperspace are advanced concept propulsion concepts that aren't yet viable - what propulsion innovations are within reach?
• Power systems, propulsion systems, and the ability to rapidly calculate and execute safe, precise maneuvers need innovators and teams working on commercial and government projects.

The Competition

This open call pitch-off competition will cast a wide net for startups, both from inside and outside of the space community. Applications will be open through August 30 and all are invited to apply. If the fit is unclear, apply anyway. For more specifics on requirements, eligibility, and general terms and conditions here.

The interest is in solid innovation from skilled startups working directly in space and in space adjacent efforts who have novel ways to address the challenges mentioned above across the following fields:

• Robotics: Advanced robotic technologies for space exploration and operations.
• Autonomy: Autonomous systems that enhance space missions.
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML): AI/ML applications that improve space operations and research.
• Vision: Vision systems for navigation, exploration, and monitoring.
• Power and Propulsion: Innovations in energy generation, storage, and propulsion systems.
• Alternative Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (Alt PNT): New methods for precise positioning and timing in space.