City Labs announced it was selected by SpaceWERX for an SBIR Direct to Phase 2 in the amount of $1.7 million focused on self-powered wireless autonomous imaging sensors for satellites that will be powered by City Labs’ Model P100 commercial tritium battery to monitor space debris, solar array angles, and other parameters.
City Labs will develop an autonomous self-powered imaging sensor with onboard processing capabilities and wireless communication for satellites that can operate continuously under broad temperature conditions for the life of the space vehicle. The ability to add an imaging sensor that operates independently of the satellite systems and doesn’t draw power from the satellite enables transformational operational capabilities for the space vehicle. Specifically, the ability for a drop-in solution without the need to re-engineer the space vehicle adds capability without additional complexity. Peter Cabauy, CEO of City Labs, said, “This tritium-powered wireless imaging sensor will enable a new capability for Space Force satellites.”
The Air Force Research Laboratory and SpaceWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through a faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and losing bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. City Labs recently started its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.