"The SURI is an outstanding initiative to train our next-generation workforce. We look forward to carrying out creative research aimed at addressing astronautical challenges in cislunar space," said Dr. Manoranjan Majji, an associate professor and Josey Family Foundation Faculty Fellow in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Texas A and M.
The collaborative project aims to develop new capabilities to improve space domain awareness. Currently, NASA and the Air Force can monitor objects like satellites, asteroids and debris in low Earth orbit. This research seeks to expand this ability to high Earth orbits.
"This is an exciting opportunity to transform the way in which we approach and solve complex problems in cislunar space domain awareness and to enable continued safe access to critical regimes in space," said Dr. Kyle DeMars, an associate department head and associate professor in the aerospace engineering department at Texas A and M.
Given the recent jump in government and commercial space explorations, including NASA's return to the moon, tracking objects in higher orbit is critical. The systems currently being used for space domain awareness are limited, so the research from this project will be instrumental in developing advanced technology and systems to track objects influenced by the moon's gravity.
"This win will help us continue to have a major role in research in space domain awareness in cislunar space and provide excellent products to the Space Force," said Dr. Terry Alfriend, a University Distinguished Professor and holder of the Jack E. and Frances Brown Chair II in the aerospace engineering department at Texas A and M. "We are part of an excellent team and look forward to the major challenges that exist in this area of research."
A team from the University of Colorado Boulder is leading the project, with collaboration from the Georgia Institute of Technology and L3Harris Technologies.
Comprehensive Analyst Summary:
Relevance Ratings:
- Space and Defense Industry Analyst: 9/10
- Stock and Finance Market Analyst: 7/10
- Government Policy Analyst: 8/10
Main Points:
The article reports that Texas A and M University is joining a multi-university research team, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, to develop capabilities for tracking objects in cislunar space. The project is expected to receive up to $5 million in funding over the next five years. Collaborators include the University of Colorado Boulder, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and L3Harris Technologies.
Implications for Respective Sectors:
- Space and Defense: The initiative aims to expand current tracking capabilities from low Earth orbit to high Earth orbit. This is highly relevant given the increased government and commercial space activities. Improved cislunar space domain awareness is key for future missions, including military applications.
- Stock and Finance Market: Companies involved, such as L3Harris Technologies, could see significant growth potential. The multi-million dollar funding suggests that there's government interest and investment in expanding space domain awareness, which could spur additional investments and contracts in the sector.
- Government Policy: The government's role in funding and facilitating this research indicates a sustained policy focus on space exploration and defense capabilities. It aligns with national priorities like NASA's return to the moon and the formation of the U.S. Space Force.
Comparison to Past Trends:
Over the past 25 years, the space and defense industry has seen shifts from being primarily government-led to having significant commercial involvement. Public-private partnerships, like the one involving L3Harris Technologies, are becoming more common. However, the funding scale and focus on cislunar space domain awareness indicate a new frontier that is being prioritized, given the geopolitical implications of space capabilities.
Potential Future Impacts:
Expansion into cislunar tracking can set a precedent for international space laws and may trigger a new race for securing 'space real estate,' affecting both national security and commercial exploitation of space resources.
Investigative Questions:
1. How does the SURI project align with the strategic objectives of the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Space Force?
2. What is the expected ROI for the companies involved, specifically L3Harris Technologies?
3. Are there international partners or competitors working on similar cislunar tracking initiatives?
4. What are the technological hurdles that the research team anticipates in expanding tracking capabilities to cislunar space?
5. How will the outcomes of this research influence future government policies on space exploration and defense?
This research project is a multi-faceted initiative that touches on the strategic, financial, and policy considerations critical to the next era of space exploration and defense.
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