Technical abstract: the goal of this phase 2 sbir is for orbotic systems to continue the work in the phase 1 sbir

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded Orbotic Systems Inc. a $1.3M Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant (CFDA 11.021) to continue development of the WIND (Wind Ion Neutral Density) instrument. The WIND instrument is designed to generate real-time, global ionospheric-thermospheric neutral density and wind ion data to enhance space weather forecasting and space debris risk mitigation. This builds upon Orbotic Systems' previous success with the WINCS (Wind Ion Neutral Composition Suite) instrument, which has flown on multiple CubeSat missions. The grant, awarded on September 1, 2024, will enable Orbotic Systems to finalize the WIND instrument and establish a commercialization strategy to provide this valuable space weather data to government agencies, academic institutions, and commercial entities.

The result is an instrument capable of generating in-situ, global, ionospheric-thermospheric neutral density and wind ION data on a near real-time basis. Orbotic systems is developing an instrument called wind (wind ION neutral density) which will be finalized in phase 2. This proposal leverages technology readiness level (TRL) 7 and 8 hardware and software as the basis to develop a new generation of space-based space weather observation remote sensors inside of a CUBESAT platform. As fully described in this proposals technical content section, the wind instrument builds on the earlier success of the space-qualified wincs instrument (wind ION neutral composition suite), flown on the following missions: gpim, stpsat-3, sense (CUBESAT), politech.1 (CUBESAT), cadre (CUBESAT). Recent orbotic systems discussions with noaas space weather prediction center (SWPC) show that there is a clear need to generate global atmospheric neutral density data on a real-time basis in the 200KM to 700KM altitude range. Orbotic systems is responsive to this need and has identified a means to obtain insitu density readings to assist NOAA and the private sector in space weather forecasting efforts. Summary of anticipated results, implications of approach, and potential commercial applications: in-situ space weather analysis is a low-cost solution that will enhance spacecraft orbit analysis and mitigate space debris risk thereby increasing mission success, reducing the threat of collisions, and protecting assets in space. Our wind instrument will also provide data for SWPC to validate their models and other data-assimilation thermospheric models. Many businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies will find value in this data. Examples include amazon, telesat, boeing, spacex, orbcomm, planet, kayhan space, privateer space, scout, orbital transport services, maverick space, CAL poly CUBESAT lab, university of florida, embry-riddle aeronautical university, NASA, and NOAA. Orbotic systems is turn-key ready with a business and marketing plan in place. Our business plan includes the ability to quickly transform the wind space weather sensor into a product with a sales strategy. The neutral density space weather data generated from this project will clearly be a valuable commodity in its own right.