38th Space Symposium – 2023

Start Date: Apr 17, 2023

End Date: Apr 20, 2023

The Air Force Research Laboratory will showcase space-related programs and technologies along with the Hack-a-Sat competition, ways to share ideas or capabilities with AFRL, and SpaceWERX, the U.S. Space Force affiliated arm of AFWERX during the 38th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 17-20, 2023.

AFRL supports both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, seamlessly working high priority research areas across the lab, meeting operational needs and delivering warfighting technologies to Airmen and Guardians.

ABOUT AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a workforce of 11,500+ across nine technology areas and 40 other operations worldwide, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development.

Within AFRL, scientists and engineers collaborate to execute crosscutting R&D. External collaboration including partnerships with industry, academia and other agencies is also an integral part of AFRL’s business model. In continuing with this integrated, cooperative approach, AFRL will seamlessly support the S&T needs of two services: the Air Force and the Space Force. Today’s global threats require multi-disciplinary solutions, and AFRL is committed to supporting the warfighter in every key domain.

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CHECK OUT THE AFRL BOOTH AND TECHNOLOGIES

HACK-A-SAT

Hack-A-Sat is a space focused capture-the-flag hacking competition, designed to inspire the world’s top cybersecurity talent. Everything, including GPS, financial transactions, air traffic control and beyond, depends on space systems that can be vulnerable to attack. Hack-A-Sat builds a non-traditional community of security researchers, government, industry and academia working together to inform and improve the cyber resilience of ground and in orbit space systems. LEARN MORE

Explore: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

NEUROMORPHIC CAMERA

The Neuromorphic Camera known as FalconNeuro is an experiment flying on the International Space Station designed and built at the Space Physics and Atmospheric Research Center at the U.S. Air Force Academy, or USAFA. Falcon Neuro demonstrates for the first time the use of biologically inspired event-based, or neuromorphic cameras for use in space. LEARN MORE

Explore: BASIC RESEARCH

NEUROMORPHIC INTELLIGENT COMPUTING SYSTEMS

Neuromorphic Intelligent Computing Systems are being developed by AFRL to improve processing power for edge artificial intelligence and machine learning to give operators analytical results, not raw data, to speed wartime decision making. Neuromorphic computing architectures are necessary to achieve advanced and new capabilities in pattern recognition, event reasoning, robust decision making, adaptive learning and autonomous tasking for energy efficient agile Space Force platforms. LEARN MORE

Explore: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE – 3 (NTS-3)

Since the inception of GPS, it has become a global utility extending beyond military use with air traffic control, banking, farming and cellular networks all depending on uninterrupted GPS coverage. NTS-3 is the first position, navigation, and timing experiment in over 45 years and will demonstrate a more flexible, robust and resilient, satellite navigation architecture. LEARN MORE

Explore: SPACE

ORACLE (Formerly named: Cislunar Highway Patrol System/CHPS)

Oracle provides space situational awareness, object detection and tracking in the cislunar space, supporting a resurgence of interest in lunar exploration and development across civil, commercial and international space agencies as part of a collaborative effort between the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate and the Transformational Capabilities Office. LEARN MORE

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QUANTUM OPTICAL MICROSCOPE

Entangled photons provide a unique analytical tool to accomplish difficult sensing tasks supported by a Quantum Optical Microscope. Using quantum states of light opens new avenues to enhance the performance and vision of the warfighter. This ultralow light intensity quantum microscope with novel diagnostic capabilities can be used for sensing and recognition of microscopic structures. LEARN MORE

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SPACE SOLAR POWER INCREMENTAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND RESEARCH PROJECT (SSPIDR)

SSPIDR is a series of integrated demonstrations and technology maturation efforts at the AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate to develop space-based solar power collection and transmission capabilities. SSPIDR will demonstrate key technologies that could eliminate the need for costly and dangerous convoys, by providing warfighter energy needs from space. LEARN MORE

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SPACE CAMP

An official branch of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Commercially Augmented Mission Platform (Space CAMP) is a Department of Defense software factory that provides research and discovery, custom product design, Agile software development training and technology services that transform space operations. LEARN MORE

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TACTICALLY RESPONSIVE SPACE ACCESS (TRSA)

TRSA is a program that is maturing and demonstrating advanced rocket propulsion and space access technologies with commercial and government partners. The effort seeks to facilitate USSF space access that is resilient, survivable, rapid and responsive, while ensuring relevant timelines and supporting a vibrant and stable launch market.

ROTATING DETONATING ROCKET ENGINE (RDRE)
Rotating detonation rocket engine technology has potential to increase rocket engine performance, resulting in a >100% increase in payload to low earth and sun-synchronous orbits for small, Tactically Responsive Space Access launch vehicles. Mitigation of combustion instability via detonative mode locking enables rapid design, development, and transition to the warfighter. LEARN MORE
AEROSPIKE ROCKET INTEGRATION AND SUBORBITAL EXPERIMENT (ARISE)
Rotating detonation rocket engine technology has potential to increase rocket engine performance, resulting in a >100% increase in payload to low earth and sun-synchronous orbits for small, Tactically Responsive Space Access launch vehicles. Mitigation of combustion instability via detonative mode locking enables rapid design, development, and transition to the warfighter. LEARN MORE
ADVANCED SPACECRAFT ENERGETIC NON-TOXIC (ASCENT)
ASCENT propellant, formerly known as AF-M315E, is an advanced monopropellant formulation developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Propulsion Division (RQR). ASCENT delivers a 50% increase in density specific impulse over the present state-of-the-art hydrazine monopropellant. In addition to its performance advantages, ASCENT decreases handling hazards compared to hydrazine. LEARN MORE

Explore: AEROSPACE SYSTEMS

STRATEGIC PARTNERING DIRECTORATE

Representatives from AFRL’s new Strategic Partnering Directorate will be on hand to discuss science and technology challenges, grants and other opportunities. The new directorate is comprised of Small Business Directorate and Plans and Programs Partnerships division, or XPP, which allows them to capitalize on external S&T innovations, leading to future capabilities addressing warfighter challenges. One goal of the new directorate is to simplify accessibility to partnership opportunities for external entities and streamline internal workforce training. LEARN MORE

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DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

The Digital Capabilities Directorate is the Air Force Research Laboratory’s premier organization aimed to digitally transform how business is conducted throughout the technical directorates and total workforce. Backed by the AFRL Digital Transformation Strategy 2022-2030, the directorate is accelerating the transformation through faster research, better decisions, streamlined transitions, and low-friction business and operations. LEARN MORE

Explore: DIGITAL CAPABILITIES

HOW TO ENGAGE WITH AFRL

Today, more than ever, we are looking for ideas to keep us on the cutting-edge of new and innovative technologies. To make it easier for idea generators to CONNECT with our Air Force and Space Force science and technology experts and opportunities, we have created this website. Simply click on the lightbulb icon to submit an idea, or peruse our links to find open opportunities in our Science and Technology ecosystem. How do you find the right opportunity, event, or website – one that ticks all the boxes for you – by using our easy search and filter functions on each page. For more information, watch the above video and visit our About Us page. Share your idea and GET CONNECTED to the Air Force and Space Force!

Explore: PARTNERING WITH AFRL

AFRL 2021 ANNUAL REPORT

Check out AFRL’s impact on the Air Force and the Aerospace industry for 2021 HERE.

LEARN MORE ABOUT AFRL

AFRL reimagines what’s possible by leading scientific research and development for the Air Force and Space Force.

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