Fiscal Year 2009 University Nanosat Program

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The Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) manages the basic research investment for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). .......... AFOSR announces a Fiscal Year 2009 competition for research to promote and sustain university research and education focused on small satellites (nanosats) and related technologies. The program description follows. .......... AFOSR, in conjunction with the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RV), and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announces a program to promote and sustain university research and education focused on small satellites (nanosats) and related technologies. The primary outcome of individual projects funded under this program is the design, fabrication and functional testing of a nanosat. Secondary objectives are to foster research in enabling technologies for nanosats and the design of experiments that can be performed by nanosats in orbit. In a related activity, AIAA will sponsor a competition to select a small number of nanosats to be prepared for space launch and operation. AFRL/RV will work actively with program participants to promote space-worthy design and fabrication and to prepare selected nanosats for launch. .......... Teaming by a maximum of two universities is an acceptable option. In this case, each university must produce its own nanosat and must apply individually to AFOSR. Individual grants will be made to each university. The team of universities will share as a team the constraints of a single entry into the nanosat competition, thereby splitting available design space between team members. Each such proposal should detail the overall team objectives and the role of each university. One institution should be indicated as the Point of Contact (POC) for team operations. .......... Proposing universities may elect to design experiments to be performed (should there ultimately be a launch) on the nanosat, including the demonstration of novel space technologies. To determine which technologies and demonstrations are of interest to the participating agencies, contact Kent Miller at Kent.Miller@afosr.af.mil. The incorporation of such technologies is not mandatory for proposals. However, this may affect one of the evaluation criteria. .......... For this program ‘nanosat’ will be used to indicate satellites having a mass of no more than 50 kg and with linear dimensions of 50x50x60 cm or less. These restrictions are chosen to maintain a focus on small satellites, to keep project costs reasonable and to facilitate the potential launch of the nanosat.

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