Space Photonics, Inc. of Fayetteville received a total of $3.825 million from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs during 2007. Already Arkansas’ leading SBIR breadwinner, the company has now received a total of twenty six SBIRs bringing the company’s total SBIR contract awards to $9.7 million. Early in 2007, the company announced that it had also received a $1.2 million contract for fiber optic components slated for use on the International Space Station (ISS).
Albuquerque, New Mexico. The technology focus of these two programs involves specific applications using free space laser communications systems between spacecraft. The innovations include techniques that rely on the company’s free space transceiver’s use of synchronized signals between satellites with embedded codes that enable precise measurement of the distance between the satellites and their precise location. In the near future, this technology will enable the Air Force and other Department of Defense agencies and NASA to enhance their capabilities for flying multiple numbers of satellites in clusters and other "formation flying" systems. The Space Photonics Principal Investigator for these two programs is Terry Tidwell, a Space Photonics Senior Research Specialist. Fred Orlando is the co-inventor and is the company’s Chief Technology Officer. The programs will include Professor John Crassidis at the University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Dr. Crassidis is a renowned technologist in the area of advanced satellite geolocation techniques.
Two of the programs will be under the direction of Matt Leftwich, Senior Development Specialist and Fiber Optic Networks Product Manager at Space Photonics. These two programs, both funded through the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) via the Navy, are developing innovative nano-materials technologies used for Anti-Tamper technologies. Anti-Tamper technologies are focused on eliminating the capabilities of adversaries to obtain design and operational information of electronics that could be used directly against American troops, or to enhance foreign capabilities. This technology is not only very important for military systems, but is also critical for commercial electronics companies for the protection of their operational and manufacturing intellectual property.
Another of these projects funded in 2007 was through the SBIR Enhancement Program, which is a funded extension of the project due both to the innovation and the implementation potential. This program is another in the arena of Anti-Tamper technology for Space Photonics; however, its focus is on utilizing programmable electronics and is for the most part a software development effort for managing electronics processors to eliminate the tampering capability of adversaries. The Principal Investigator for this program is Jason Sattler, a Senior Research Specialist for Space Photonics. This program is funded through Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
Also included in the total award amount are two Phase I SBIRs, both in the area of free space laser communications.
In addition to the current SBIR programs and the NASA International Space Station program, Space Photonics is currently working on a four-year, $16.2 million program for the Air Force Advanced Spacecraft Technology Program. The company is a recipient of the Small Business Administration’s Tibbetts Award, given to small companies that provide outstanding SBIR leadership. In 2004 Space Photonics was the first Arkansas Company to receive the Arkansas Federal Research & Development tax incentive which will match up to 33 percent of federally funded R&D programs.
Space Photonics develops, markets and sells optical networking systems and components specifically designed to address the high reliability requirements of military and commercial aircraft and spacecraft. The company’s products enable aerospace designers to embed high-capacity, optical networking capabilities into their systems. The company continues its collaborations with the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and at Little Rock, the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority (ASTA), and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). For additional information about Space Photonics, visit the company web site at www.spacephotonics.com
(This article was originally published on the Arkansas Research and Technology Park Web site.)
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