In August 1960 the Discoverer 14 delivered the first space-based reconnaissance imagery on photographic film. Since that day intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) satellites employed by the US government have greatly evolved and provide a myriad of critical capabilities to our national security. Indeed, they provide the unique capability of persistent, long-term, remote sensing and encompass many applications including, but not limited to imagery, signal collection, and missile warning. To deliver these capabilities requires the development and integration of advanced sensors, complex algorithms, and data processing.
Catalyst Accelerator is seeking commercial solutions to address Air Force (AF) and DoD applications in space-based ISR. ISR activities entail full-spectrum (ELF thru RF, MMW, THz, IR, EO, UV, and ionizing radiation) active and passive sensing, detection, discrimination, warning, and tracking of both earth and space-borne entities, events, and activities of military and national interest. Preferred solutions are near-term operational; however, all innovative technology solutions will be considered. Ideal solutions will operate well within a contested space environment, e.g. are/readily made resilient to jamming, blinding, spoofing, and disablement, and be able to integrate well with solutions and architectures sourced by multiple vendors. Technologies of relevance include significantly advantageous sensing devices including detectors, transmitters, antennas, optics; signal processing and multi-source fusion algorithms, computing resources, and services; and technologies and methods for smart distribution of ISR products to DoD consumers (the right information to the attention of the right entity at the right time). This is not considered an all-encompassing list of potential technologies. Specifically, technologies able to advance ISR with disruptive solutions and novel applications of existing technology are of particular interest.
Click by 7 August to submit your application for acceptance into the cohortÂ