Comsat Architects has been awarded a competitive grant from the Nation Science Foundation (NSF) to develop a comprehensive cognitive communication payload module (C3PM) for use in space communications. This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will demonstrate the feasibility of the C3PM for communications in CubeSat constellations. The C3PM will utilize cognitive technologies and machine learning to perform autonomous functions such as intelligent routing and network-self healing. These capabilities will tremendously enhance communication functions in networking for CubeSat platforms in low earth orbits.

The C3PM has several application areas, including Earth observation, science, and space communications. In addition to performing cognitive functions, the C3PM prototype will also deliver improved data transmission for commercial, government, and academic CubeSat operators.

This work is made possible through the NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I grant through America’s Seed Fund. This fund powered by NSF awards $200 million annually to startups and small businesses, transforming scientific discovery into products and services with commercial and societal impact. Startups working across almost all areas of science and technology can receive up to $1.75 million to support research and development (R&D), helping de-risk technology for commercial success. America’s Seed Fund is congressionally mandated through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The NSF is an independent federal agency with a budget of about $8.1 billion that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. For more information, visit seedfund.nsf.gov.