Michael Pigue, left, of Space Instrumentation Systems (ISR-4) and Zachary Baker of Computer Science for High-Performance Computing (CCS-1) examine the engineering model of a new spacecraft component. The Laboratory's Mission Response Module Software-Defined Radio project delivered its Flight Prototype Unit to Lockheed Martin earlier this month. As of October 8 the unit was fully accepted for integration on to the host spacecraft.
One of the project's aerospace goals is demonstrating that a computing component, the TeraOps space processor can be conceived, designed, built, and delivered in a 30-month timeline to an operational Department of Defense spacecraft. Today such timelines typically extend up to 10 years, a major problem in U.S. military and NASA space programs.
Software radio and digital receivers enable a new class of communications systems that adapt rapidly as new military requirements or new technologies arise.
