Research & Development
Pioneering the next generation of space navigation technology through cutting-edge research and innovation.
Research Facilities
State-of-the-art laboratories equipped for advanced aerospace development
GNC Testing Laboratory
20,000 sq ft facility featuring air-bearing platforms, robotic test beds, and hardware-in-the-loop simulators for validating guidance, navigation, and control algorithms.
High-Performance Computing
Dedicated compute cluster with 10,000+ CPU cores and GPU accelerators for Monte Carlo simulations, machine learning training, and trajectory optimization.
Lunar Environment Simulator
Unique vacuum chamber with terrain mock-ups, lighting systems, and dust generators replicating lunar surface conditions for sensor testing and algorithm validation.
Active Research Programs
Advancing the frontiers of autonomous space systems
Quantum-Enhanced Navigation
Developing next-generation inertial sensors utilizing quantum interference effects to achieve unprecedented measurement precision for long-duration deep space missions.
- Cold atom interferometry for ultra-precise acceleration sensing
- Quantum gyroscopes with drift rates <0.001 deg/hr
- Integration with classical sensor suites
- Miniaturization for spacecraft form factors
- Radiation tolerance characterization
Funding: DARPA, NASA STMD
Timeline: 2023-2027
Status: Phase 2 prototyping
Neuromorphic Control Systems
Bio-inspired computing architectures that mimic neural processing for real-time decision-making with minimal power consumption in resource-constrained environments.
- Spiking neural networks for control applications
- Event-based vision processing for landing
- 100x improvement in energy efficiency vs. GPUs
- Adaptive learning during mission execution
- Radiation-hardened neuromorphic chips
Funding: NSF, Air Force Research Laboratory
Timeline: 2024-2028
Status: Algorithm development
Multi-Agent Coordination
Distributed control frameworks enabling swarms of spacecraft or rovers to coordinate actions, share information, and accomplish complex tasks through emergent behavior.
- Consensus algorithms for formation flying
- Decentralized task allocation and planning
- Resilience to individual agent failures
- Bandwidth-efficient inter-agent communication
- Demonstrations with 10+ vehicle swarms
Funding: NASA SBIR, Internal R&D
Timeline: 2022-2026
Status: Flight testing phase
Optical Communication Navigation
Leveraging high-bandwidth laser communication links to enable simultaneous data transfer and precision ranging for improved navigation accuracy at interplanetary distances.
- Two-way laser ranging with picosecond timing
- Integration with NASA's Deep Space Optical Comms
- Position accuracy improvement by 10x vs radio
- Reduced ground station dependencies
- Atmospheric compensation techniques
Funding: NASA Space Communications Program
Timeline: 2023-2029
Status: Ground testing
Innovation Pipeline
From concept to deployment: our structured innovation process
Stage 1: Exploratory Research
Fundamental studies investigating novel concepts, emerging technologies, and theoretical frameworks. Typically 3-5 year horizon with academic partnerships.
Stage 2: Applied Development
Proof-of-concept demonstrations and prototype development with clear mission applications. 2-4 year timeline focusing on Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 3-5.
Stage 3: Flight Qualification
Environmental testing, qualification campaigns, and flight heritage building. Advancing from TRL 6 to TRL 8 through demonstration missions and early customer deployments.
Stage 4: Product Integration
Mature technologies integrated into commercial products with full certification, documentation, and operational support. TRL 9 systems ready for critical missions.
Academic & Research Partnerships
Collaborating with leading institutions to advance aerospace science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department: Aeronautics & Astronautics
Focus: Model-based control theory and optimization algorithms
Program: Joint PhD student supervision, summer internships
Stanford University
Department: Computer Science AI Lab
Focus: Machine learning for autonomous systems
Program: Collaborative research grants, visiting scholar exchange
California Institute of Technology
Department: Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Focus: Deep space navigation and trajectory design
Program: CRADA agreement, shared testing facilities
University of Texas at Austin
Department: Aerospace Engineering
Focus: Guidance and control system verification
Program: Industry advisory board, capstone projects
Carnegie Mellon University
Department: Robotics Institute
Focus: Computer vision and SLAM algorithms
Program: Funded research projects, technology licensing
Georgia Institute of Technology
Department: School of Aerospace Engineering
Focus: Orbital mechanics and mission design
Program: Joint publications, conference workshops
Government-Funded Programs
Supporting national priorities in space exploration and security
NASA Contracts & Grants
- SBIR Phase III: Autonomous landing hazard detection ($8.5M, 2023-2026)
- STMD Partnership: Quantum sensor integration ($4.2M, 2024-2027)
- Artemis Support: Human lander navigation systems ($15M, 2022-2025)
- CLPS Payload: Precision landing demonstration ($6M, 2023-2024)
- Space Tech Mission: Optical communication nav ($3.5M, 2025-2028)
Defense & Intelligence Community
- DARPA: Quantum inertial navigation development ($7M, 2023-2026)
- AFRL: Neuromorphic control processors ($5.5M, 2024-2027)
- Space Force: Cislunar domain awareness ($12M, 2023-2028)
- NRO: Rapid maneuver planning [classified]
- USSF: Responsive space vehicle guidance ($9M, 2024-2029)
Industry Collaboration Programs
Working with commercial partners to accelerate innovation
Technology Partnership Program
Joint development agreements with spacecraft manufacturers to integrate LMCU systems and co-develop next-generation capabilities.
Research Consortium
Industry working group addressing common challenges in autonomous navigation through pre-competitive research and standards development.
Innovation Challenges
Annual competitions inviting external innovators to propose solutions to specific technical problems with cash prizes and development contracts.
Publications & Intellectual Property
Advancing knowledge while protecting competitive advantages
Recent Publications (2024-2025)
- Harrison, R. et al. "Adaptive Neural Networks for Lunar Landing Guidance" - Journal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
- Chen, S. & Morrison, J. "Real-Time Terrain Relative Navigation Using Deep Learning" - IEEE Aerospace Conference
- Petrov, M. et al. "Multi-Agent Coordination for Distributed Space Systems" - AIAA SciTech Forum
- Kumar, A. et al. "Quantum-Enhanced Inertial Sensing for Deep Space Navigation" - Nature Physics
Join Our Research Team
We're hiring exceptional engineers and scientists to push the boundaries of space technology.
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