Electrodynamic tether propulsion can provide propellantless propulsion capability for a number of important missions in LEO, including stationkeeping for small satellites, boosting of the International Space Station, deorbit of malfunctioning satellites, and orbit raising of payloads. Theoretical… More

A small propellantless electrodynamic tether system can provide a low-mass and low-cost means for lowering the orbit of an existing satellite from high- or mid-LEO altitudes down to low-LEO altitudes so that the satellite can be retrieved for examination,repair, or return to Earth. We propose to… More

A small propellantless electrodynamic tether system can provide a low-mass and low-cost means for lowering the orbit of an existing satellite from high- or mid-LEO altitudes down to low-LEO altitudes so that the satellite can be retrieved for examination,repair, or return to Earth. We propose to… More

A modular Momentum-Exchange/Electrodynamic-Reboost (MXER) tether system can provide a fully-reusable in-space propulsion system that can provide propellantless propulsion for orbital transfer, Earth-to-Orbit launch assist, and reboost of LEO spacecraft such as the ISS. By eliminating the need to… More

Space tether technology can provide propellantless propulsion for orbital maneuvering, orbital transfer, and spacecraft formation flying. The MAST (Multi- Application Survivable Tether) experiment team, consisting of Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) and the Stanford University Space Systems Development… More

The SensorLine is a small, simple, low-cost system for deploying arrays of tethered microsensors for planetary, asteroid, and subsurface exploration. The SensorLine system integrates the microsensors into a thin, lightweight tether that provides both power and communication. In planetary exploration… More

The MAST (Multi-Application Survivable Tether) team, consisting of Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) and the Standford University Space Systems Development Laboratory (SSDL), propose to develop and fly a very low cost nanosatellite experiment that will demonstrate the deployment of a lightweight… More

The MXER Tether Boost Facility will serve as a fully-reusable in-space ?upper-stage? that will provide propellantless propulsion for orbital transfer and Earth-to-Orbit launch assist. By elimi-nating the need to launch an upper stage along with each payload, the MXER Tether can reduce the size of… More

The SensorLine is a small, simple, low-cost system for deploying arrays of tethered microsensors for planetary, asteroid, and subsurface exploration. The SensorLine system integrates the microsensors into a thin, lightweight tether that provides both power and communication. In planetary exploration… More

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a compact Underwater Tether Deployment (UTD) System designed to provide an optical fiber link for two-way communication between a submarine and a communication buoy. To minimize tension forces on the fiber optic, the UTD System will utilize two… More

Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters can provide the high-specific impulse, high-power propulsion required to enable ambitious human and robotic exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and outer planets. Whereas the thrust and power densities of Hall and Ion thrusters are limited by space charge… More

The overall objective of this SBIR effort is to develop fiber optic winding and packaging processes to enable low-cost production of wound fiber optic packages that can deploy reliably at high speeds underwater with minimal signal attenuation. Our goal for the Phase II project is to complete the… More

TUI proposes to develop a novel electro-magnetic inspection tool for assessment of guy wire integrity. The proposed tool will utilizing recent advances in hybrid flexible/rigid printed circuitry fabrication to implement the main-flux measurement technique within a clamshell-type enclosure. This… More

Rapid deployment of sensor arrays into deep sea and littoral environments requires reliable mechanisms and payload packaging in order to ensure proper placement and longevity. Additionally, sensor networks require reliable, repeatable coverage areas and spacing. The methods of achieving this can… More

The interest in formation and cluster-based satellite applications has grown considerably in recent years, especially as launch costs have dropped and the availability of secondary rides have increased. Unfortunately, the realization of these applications has proven difficult because of challenges… More

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a small lightweight ASW magnetometer towing system in collaboration with Aerovel Coporation for integration with small aircraft and UAVs. This system will be comprised of a non-magnetic aerodynamic body for the magnetometer, a towing cable that will… More

The overall objective of this SBIR effort is to develop fiber optic winding and packaging processes to enable low-cost production of wound fiber optic packages that can deploy reliably at high speeds underwater with minimal signal attenuation. Our goal for the Phase I project is to develop and… More

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. (TUI) proposes to develop a "Small VEhicle Lightweight Towing Equipment" (SVELTE) system to enable small aircraft and UAVs to deploy and tow magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) sensors with highly stable sensor attitude. In our Phase I effort, we met the challenging weight and… More

TUI proposes to develop a Terminator Tape deorbit module that will utilize both aerodynamic drag enhancement and passive electrodynamic drag to enable spacecraft to comply with post-mission orbital lifetime restrictions while minimizing cost, mass, volume, and footprint impacts to the spacecraft. At… More

We propose to utilize a combination of 3D printing technology and high-strength, temperature-resistant composites to create structural components for spacecraft that incorporate an integral thermal barrier. The use of 3D printing technology will enable rapid fabrication of complex structural… More

Interest in formation and cluster-based satellite applications has grown considerably in recent years. These applications require a relative position and attitude sensor to address challenges such as station keeping, collision avoidance, and relative orientation control. Existing sensors that have… More

We propose to develop a lightweight deployable array to enable nanosatellite-scale spacecraft to reliably deploy large-area solar arrays and antenna arrays to enable these small satellites to perform missions requiring high power and/or high gain communications. Although launch opportunities for… More

The proposed effort will develop an innovative deployable solar array capable of providing up to 80 W to a CubeSat. This deployable array design stows the solar panels within the f?~extra volumef?T allowed by the P-POD specification beyond the standard 10x10 cm CubeSat footprint, providing… More

The proposed effort will develop the "Terminator Tape Deorbit Module", a lightweight, low-cost, scalable de-orbit module that will utilize both aerodynamic drag enhancement and electrodynamic drag to rapidly remove small satellites from LEO altitudes, enabling compliance with orbital… More

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. proposes to develop the PowerCube, an integrated power, propulsion, and pointing solution for CubeSats. The PowerCube combines three innovative components: a high-power deployable solar array able to provide up to 100W peak power to the CubeSat, a regenerative fuel cell… More

Magnetoplasmadynamic (MPD) thrusters can provide the high-specific impulse, high-power propulsion required to support human and robotic exploration missions to the asteroids, Moon, Mars, and the outer planets. MPD thrusters, however, have traditionally been plagued by poor thrust efficiencies due… More

ABSTRACT: TUI proposes to develop a lightweight, low-cost deployable solar array sized to provide 30 W orbit-averaged power to CubeSats. Our proposed design fits within the 6.5 mm extra volume allowed by the P-POD spec beyond the 10 cm square standard CubeSat footprint, and leaves 1U of a 3U… More

The PowerCube is a 1U CubeSat module that provides integrated propulsion, power, and precision pointing to enable the low-cost CubeSat platform to be used to conduct high-performance missions. The PowerCube concept integrates three innovative component technologies to provide these capabilities: … More

ABSTRACT: The goal of the Space Test Program operated by the US Air Force is to enable the rapid development of emerging space technologies by providing economical flight opportunities to increase a technology"s TRL. In particular, the CubeSat form factor has emerged as an economical platform… More

ABSTRACT: We propose to adapt additive manufacturing techniques to fabricate multifunctional"Versatile Structural Radiation Shielding"(VSRS) components that provide multi-layer radiation shielding, multi-layer thermal insulation, electro-magnetic interference (EMI) shielding, and… More

Tethers Unlimited, Inc. proposes to develop the Remote Anchoring Module (RAM), a launch-able anchoring system that can be used to quickly set and test an anchor point at a remote location without the need for an on-site operator. The RAM system deploys a high-strength cable between itself and the… More

TUI proposes to develop two novel technologies that will enable pico-satellites in LEO to efficiently close the link with standard issue handheld radios on the ground. The first technology is a dual-band software-defined radio that will provide UHF SATCOM to soldiers on the ground and a unified… More