Space Foundation Space Symposium – 2024

THE PREMIER EVENT FOR GLOBAL SPACE PROFESSIONALS

While Space Force is the newest service in the DoD, AFRL has provided cutting edge space research since the beginning of space exploration. We play a pivotal role in America’s dominance in the space domain. Today, AFRL is developing solutions to our most pressing space technology challenges. We must accelerate the delivery of technologies that support an even more lethal, resilient, sustainable, survivable, agile, and responsive joint force to meet these challenges. However, we cannot research and develop the technology needed to keep us ahead on our own. Working with U.S. government agencies and partnering with the commercial sector and allies around the world fosters new ideas, tests previous assumptions, and generates new capabilities, keeping our nation safe and our freedoms secured.

Visitors to the Air Force Research Laboratory booth #103 will be able to see the following areas of interest and their associated technologies:

 SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

• NEUROMORPHIC INTELLIGENCE COMPUTING SYSTEMS+ (NICS+): NICS+ is a 6.2 development and demonstration program, emphasizing integration of advanced neuromorphic technologies into space and airborne experiments for on-system learning. Advance architectures exposing new capabilities for artificial intelligence, machine learning and autonomous solutions for edge computing. LEARN MORE

• ORACLE: 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

Explore: SPACE  |  INFORMATION  |  ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

 RAPID RESPONSE

• SAFE TRUSTED AUTONOMY FOR RESPONSIBLE SPACECRAFT (STARS): STARS is focused on developing novel safe autonomy tools for multi-satellite teaming operations. This program integrates safety assurances at run-time with advanced AI/ML tools while incorporating operator preferences and interfacing to enable catered and efficient planning to the next generation of Guardian operators. Lastly, to showcase the integration of these technology areas, AFRL is developing, integrating and demonstrating them in a multi-satellite emulation laboratory at Kirtland AFB to strengthen operator trust in such platforms and allow for direct operator interactions with satellite emulation testbeds. LEARN MORE
• MODULAR PROPULSION (MODPROP): MODPROP technology eliminates integration constraints by establishing standard interfaces and model-based systems engineering for rapid space vehicle and launch vehicle integration, on-orbit refueling, and propulsion system upgrade. Propulsion Unit with Modular Applications (PUMA) is modular spacecraft propulsion technology that enables dynamic space operations across the full space ecosystem. The unit can use new AFRL-developed propellant technology, like Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT), to enable rapid call-up and responsive launch capabilities. PUMA is an AFRL-developed responsive propulsion system ready to be transitioned in 2026. LEARN MORE

Explore: MUNITIONS  |  SPACE  |  SENSORS  |  HUMAN PERFORMANCE  |  AEROSPACE SYSTEMS

 SPACE SUPPORT TO THE JOINT FORCE

• NAVIGATION TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE-3 (NTS-3): NTS-3 will operate for one year in a near-geosynchronous orbit, and it will be the center point for multiple experiments across multiple technical areas. The satellite will broadcast navigation signals from its phased array antenna, which can electronically steer signals to a desired region without physically moving the satellite. These signals are created through a digital, on-orbit reprogrammable PNT signal generator, which not only supports legacy signals and advanced signals not currently broadcast on GPS, but also allows new signal updates after launch. LEARN MORE

• GLOBAL LIGHTNING: GLOBAL LIGHTNING is a prototyping and experimentation campaign to provide reliable, secure satellite communications to both stationary and mobile users. The focus of the Global Lightning program has now advanced to the creation of multi-constellation systems capable of communicating with five to 10 commercial and military satellite communications systems in low-, medium-, and geostationary orbits (LEO, MEO, and GEO) across multiple frequency bands, referred to as Hybrid SATCOM. LEARN MORE

Explore: INTEGRATED CAPABILITIES  |  VANGUARDS  |  SPACE

 SPACEWERX

• SPACEWERX: SpaceWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a part of AFWERX, powered by AFRL, that blends the best of commercial innovation with the needs of the men and women of the U.S. Space Force who depend on space technology to do their jobs. LEARN MORE

Explore: AFWERX

 STRATEGIC PARTNERING / INTERNATIONAL OFFICE

• Connects the dots between AFRL and the warfighter, and strategic and international partners.

Symposium attendees can access additional information about potential partnership avenues with AFRL by visiting the AFRL exhibit booth. AFRL possesses a rich history of participation in joint science and technology ventures and is actively seeking future collaborations.

• For more information about AFRL’s programs and technologies, visit: https://www.afresearchlab.com
• To register for the symposium, visit: https://www.spacesymposium.org/fees-tickets-and-policies/
• For more information about the Space Foundation Space Symposium, visit: https://www.spacesymposium.org/

ABOUT AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory 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 force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, 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 research and development. External collaboration, including partnerships with industry, academia and other agencies, is also an integral part of AFRL’s business model. Through this integrated, cooperative approach, AFRL seamlessly supports the science and technology (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.

Explore: AFRESEARCHLAB.COM  |  AFRL.AF.MIL

EXPLORE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT AFRL

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

Explore: AFRL TECHNOLOGIES

Explore: AFRL LAB LIFE