THE CATALYST ACCELERATOR ANNOUNCES NEWEST COHORT: SPACE-BASED JOINT SPECTRUM
September 12 2024 - 10:00AM
The Catalyst Accelerator, powered by both the Air Force Research
Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, and The United States Space
Force, is currently seeking US-based small businesses and startups
with innovative dual-use technologies that provide commercial
capabilities to support Space-Based Joint Spectrum. The problem
statement this Accelerator hopes to solve is:
How might the U.S. Space Force and the U.S. Army leverage
emerging technologies in advanced Electromagnetic Warfare (EW),
Satellite Communications (SATCOM), along with relevant supporting
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) capabilities
to enhance operational mission environments and maintain strategic
advantage in contested domains?
The United States Space Force and the United States Army
recognize the urgency of protecting this vital infrastructure and
are seeking to leverage commercial software technologies in the
areas of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning and Satellite
Communications, along with advanced Electromagnetic Warfare
capabilities to enhance operational mission environments and
maintain strategic advantage in contested domains.
For this cohort, the primary focus area will be US developed
solutions that are capable of data fusion and processing
techniques. Solutions with commercial market viability are desired
across a wide array of relevant technologies.
Topics of Interest Include:
- Electromagnetic Warfare:
- Development of compact, lightweight, and mobile EW systems
capable of rapid deployment and reconfiguration to counter threats
from adversary satellites in any orbital regime.
- Systems should be able to engage with signals across multiple
frequency bands using modular and adaptable designs for networked
operations.
- Integration of simulation and training environments that
realistically replicate signal environments to better prepare
operators for live operations.
- Development of mission software capable of real-time signal
analysis.
- AI/ML in Support of Electromagnetic Warfare:
- Development of AI/ML capabilities to automate planning,
decision-making, and operational functions for future operating
forces to support EW.
- Emphasis on descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics
to enhance situational awareness and operational readiness to
support EW.
- Exploration of Neuromorphic Computing and AI at the edge for
real-time adaptive responses to threats to support EW.
- Commercial tools to enhance US Warfighters’ ability to predict,
detect, and attribute EW threats to U.S. and allied space systems.
- Solutions capable of data fusion, big data compression, and
predictive analytics for monitoring space activities to support
EW.
- Satellite Communications:
- Systems that can assist with the Command and Control(C2)
segment of SATCOM to include various modulation schemes (amplitude
shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK), phase shift
keying (PSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation
(QAM)).
- Development of systems that have a novel approach to SATCOM
equipment such as antennas, Modems, High Power Amplifiers and Low
Noise Amplifiers.
- Development of software that reliably enhances C2 for several
geographical separated antennas.
The 3-month Space-Based Joint Spectrum (#CASJS) Accelerator will
kick-off on January 28, 2025, and will be held
in-person at Catalyst Campus for Technology and Innovation in
Colorado Springs, CO. Six to eight companies will be chosen to
participate in the accelerator, drawing on expertise from military
and commercial Navigators, government leaders, and consultants.
Participant companies will make crucial connections within
government and industry that will enable them to promote their
technology and advance their position in acquiring government
contracts. The #CASJS Accelerator will conclude with a Demo Day
event on April 24, 2025, attended by government and
commercial scouts.
The Catalyst Accelerator will be holding a virtual “Ask Me
Anything” session on September 25, 2024, at 10:00 AM
MT to address inquiries related to the current Catalyst
Accelerator problem statement along with other general program
questions that potential applicants may have. The application
deadline for this Accelerator is October 16, 2024, at
5:00 PM MT. For more information and to apply, go
to https://catalystaccelerator.space/cohort_page/space-based-joint-spectrum/
About Catalyst Accelerator
The Air Force Research Laboratory Space Vehicles Directorate and
United States Space Force’s Catalyst Accelerator is a
NewSpace-focused defense and national security industry
accelerator, headquartered on the Catalyst Campus for Technology
and Innovation (CCTI) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. CCTI is a
collaborative ecosystem where industry, small business,
entrepreneurs, startups, government, academia, and investors
intersect with Colorado’s aerospace and defense industry to create
community, spark innovation, and stimulate business growth. The
Catalyst Accelerator is a collaborative program hosted by Catalyst
Campus for Technology and Innovation (CCTI, a Colorado 501(c)3) in
partnership with the United States Space Force, and the Air Force
Research Laboratory to provide a robust, mentor-driven curriculum
for accelerator teams.
- SPACE-BASED JOINT SPECTRUM
Shae Thomas
Catalyst Accelerator Program Manager
719-465-7556
Shae.Thomas@catalystcampus.org