NASA's SBIR Space Weather R2O/O2R Technology Development Opportunity (Invited Presentation)

NASA's Heliophysics Division has established a Space Weather Science and Applications (SWxSA) Program consistent with the 2019 National Space Weather Strategy and Action Plan. The program is intended to advance understanding of space weather and enable more accurate characterization and predictions. As part of this program, NASA established a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) funding opportunity specifically geared to Space Weather R2O/O2R Technology Development. NASA's SBIR opportunities fund research, development, and the demonstration of technologies that both fulfill NASA needs and have significant potential for commercialization.

First established with the 2018 SBIR solicitation (see sbir.nasa.gov), the Space Weather R2O/O2R Technology Development opportunity solicits new, enabling space weather technologies that can be specifically tied to NASA’s responsibilities under that national space weather action plan. A robust commercial space weather industry has been steadily growing within the U.S., many members of which are small businesses. These companies, along with others, can play a vital role by identifying and filling important data and technology gaps or by developing value-added products and services that enhance human and property safety when faced with space weather hazards.

If you are a small business concern with 500 or fewer employees, NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR program as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your space weather innovations. This presentation will describe the SBIR Space Weather R2O/O2R Technology Development funding opportunity and will introduce the five 2018 and 2019 cycle SBIR efforts currently receiving funding under this program that address radiation hazards, solar eruptions, satellite anomalies, geoelectric fields, and space weather benchmark determination.

Space weather poses a constant threat to our Nation’s critical infrastructure, our satellites in orbit, and our crewed and uncrewed space activities. Extreme space weather events can cause substantial harm to our Nation’s security and economic vitality. A robust space weather program and its associated forecasting capabilities are essential for NASA’s future exploration success.