The US Sandia National Laboratory is to use its hypervelocity impact modelling and intercept debris characterisation capabilities in co-operative spacecraft research with California-based Aerospace Corporation.
After signing a memorandum of understanding, the two organisations will investigate spacecraft technologies, simulation, modelling tools, microelectronics and sensor and instrument systems.
“We have already identified a number of areas of mutual interest where each organisation brings a very special expertise to help with national security space activities and challenges,” says Al Romig, Sandia’s deputy director for integrated technologies and systems.
Sandia programme manager David Keese could provide no more information because of classification issues concerning the missile defence research.
The hypervelocity impact modelling and intercept debris characterisation research is necessary for space-based missile interceptors in 300km orbits that would knock out ballistic missiles in their terminal phase of flight, says US Space Policy Institute science and security fellow William Marshall.
- The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected space systems company Ball Aerospace and Technologies to lead the phase one development of its X-ray Source-based Navigation for Autonomous Position Determination (XNAV) programme. XNAV is designed to provide a GPS back-up for space systems such as low-Earth orbiting spacecraft.
Phase I is expected to determine the feasibility of using celestial X-ray sources, including pulsars, for determining position and attitude.
Source: Flight International
