Dec 20, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
NASA has selected 85 small business proposals to enter into negotiations for Phase II contract awards through the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
The selected projects have a total value of approximately $63 million. NASA will award the contracts to 79 small high technology firms in 27 states. These competitive awards-based programs encourage U.S. small businesses to engage in federal research, development and commercialization. The programs also enable businesses to explore technological potential, while providing the incentive to profit from new commercial products and services.
“Small businesses are not only crucial to NASA’s trailblazing achievements in space exploration; they are the backbone of the American economy,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “As the wheels of our economy continue to pick up speed, it is important to remember that small business is the engine that is getting us moving again. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small firms have generated 65 percent of net new jobs over the past 17 years. And federal procurement for women-, minority- and veteran-owned small businesses are a big part of that equation.”
NASA’s SBIR programs address specific technology gaps in agency missions, while striving to complement other agency research investments. Program results have benefited many NASA efforts, including modern air traffic control systems, Earth-observing spacecraft, the International Space Station and the Mars rovers.
“Working with small businesses through Phase 2 SBIR awards, NASA helps mature novel technologies and concepts to demonstrate their applicability to NASA’s current and future space and aeronautics needs,” said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA’s Space Technology Program. “This maturation process also provides NASA’s small business partners to more fully explore opportunities to transfer that technology to the marketplace, while creating new jobs and growing our economy.”
In addition to meeting NASA’s needs, the proposals also provide innovative research in areas that have other commercial applications. Examples include:
– Development of design and fabrication techniques that will be used to create better UV detectors useful to NASA’s missions to monitor ozone, aerosols and air pollution, which also are essential in the semiconductor, food processing and healthcare industries, where bacterial sterilization is important.
– A new composite material manufacturing process which could decrease manufacturing costs for NASA’s future heavy lift launch vehicles, as well as military and commercial aircraft, wind blades and towers, civil and automotive infrastructure and marine vessels.
– New high-performance lubricants beneficial to robotic spacecraft operations in extreme temperature ranges that also may benefit automobile performance.
– A laser-ranging technology that can be used as the next generation air data system for aircraft that will measure velocity, wind speed, air pressure and temperature. This will help predict turbulence, ensuring a safer and more comfortable flight.
The SBIR program is a highly competitive, three-phase award system. It provides qualified small businesses, including those owned by women and the disadvantaged, with opportunities to propose unique ideas that meet specific research and development needs of the federal government.
Phase 1 is a feasibility study to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Awards are for as long as six months. The selected Phase 2 projects will expand on the results of Phase 1 projects selected last year, with up to $750,000 to support research for up to two years. Phase 3 is for the commercialization of the results of Phase 2 and requires the use of private sector or non-SBIR federal funding.
Participants submitted 428 Phase 2 proposals. The criteria used to select the winning proposals included technical merit and innovation, Phase 1 performance and results, value to NASA, commercial potential and company capabilities.
For more information about NASA: www.nasa.gov
Dec 01, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
Milsatcom Middle East is a two day conference developed specifically to meet the satellite communications needs of Middle East military, government and security agencies.
It will be an important event for military satellite professionals in the gulf and greater middle east region in the year 2012. A major opportunity for regional governments and defense forces are looking forward to commercial satellite services for their milsatcom needs. This is the only platform for learning more about latest milsatcom trends and meeting with regional defense and government leaders. Hence, it is a absolute must attend for you.
Milsatcom Middle East discusses both technologies and relevant developments in commercial markets which are very critical for Military and Security agencies relying on satellite communications.
Topics of interest:
Examining the evolution of military satellite communications
Understanding the role of commercial satellite industry in future milsatcom operations
Challenges while planning for a joint milsatcom approach for all three services
Meeting the challenges posed by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Keeping secrets: Network continuity + Transmission Security
World-class speaker line up:
• Dr. Mohammed Al Ahbabi, Center of Excellence, UAE Armed Forces
• Tim Shroyer, Chief Technology Officer, GD Satcom Technologies
• Gerard Donelan, Head of Public Sector Projects, SES
• Christopher Baugh, President, Northern Sky Research
• Hugues LANCRENON, Thales – Defense and Security C4I System Division
• David Moss, Director Government Services, Thuraya
• Dr Leslie Klein, President & CEO, C-COM Satellite Systems
• Martin Jarrold, Director, Global VSAT Forum
Who is supporting the event:
Gold Sponsor: Yahsat
Silver Sponsor: Thales
Session Sponsors: SES, Newtec
Official Supporters: NSR, GVF
At Milsatcom Middle East, you will find answers to the following questions amongst others:
- Where is Mlisatcom currently – both technologically and commercially – and how it is likely to develop over coming years?
- What are the leading trends and technologies ?
- Which are the main companies involved in the development and application of Milsatcom, and what are their activities there?
- What are the main challenges, and how are military professionals planning to overcome them?
- How will defence agencies meet never ending demand for bandwidth, speed and applications?
- How are governments planning to get involved?
- What are the main drivers and restraints for milsatcom development?
Nov 16, 2011, post by Artur Nowak
SKYDEX Technologies – the industry leader in developing innovative technologies that mitigate shock, vibration and energy forces for the most demanding applications – announced continued corporate growth and strong revenues from military contracts. Contracts for SKYDEX Convoy Deck and Impact Mitigating Boat Deck (IMBD) products topped $7.9 million in September and October.
“SKYDEX has been very fortunate to be in a position where our products are not only in high demand, but are also in a growing market”
SKYDEX has experienced tremendous growth over the past four quarters, adding engineers, manufacturing and sales support to help manage the increasing demand for its products. Projected revenue from military contracts and commercial applications is expected to continue to grow as the company expands into additional applications.
“SKYDEX has been very fortunate to be in a position where our products are not only in high demand, but are also in a growing market,” said SKYDEX President and CEO Mike Buchen. “Our products are the best performing in the industry and we will continue to design, manufacture and improve products that protect our troops, whether on land or sea.”
The SKYDEX Convoy Deck has already been installed on more than 14,000 Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, including the RG-31, Cougar, and Oshkosh M-ATV. The product is now standard equipment in new Oshkosh and GDLS-C M-ATVs. Earlier this year, both GDLS-C and Oshkosh signed multi-million-dollar agreements with SKYDEX to provide its Convoy Deck for 200 new GDLS-C Stryker vehicles deploying to Afghanistan and for over 1,400 Oshkosh M-ATV vehicles. Independent testing shows the Convoy Deck reduces the chance of injury to crewmembers aboard an armored vehicle exposed to a typical IED blast by 90 percent.
The SKYDEX IMBD is uniquely designed to absorb energy transmitted through boat hulls crashing into waves during high speed maneuvering, protecting occupants on the boat. In a survey of Special Operations craft operators, 62% reported injuries incurred during maneuvering operations. SKYDEX’s patented, geometrically designed thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) technology acts as a spring to absorb impacts and vibrations that would normally transfer directly through the boat deck to the occupant’s feet and legs, causing fatigue, discomfort and injury.
SKYDEX Technologies employs its patented, twin-hemisphere design in multiple lines of products to protect warriors from harmful impacts and vibration. Its TPU technology has proven far more effective and far more resilient than foam products in a wide array of applications – from convoy decking to high impact boat decking to combative wall surfaces to vehicle and helicopter seating to ballistic helmet pads and body protection. SKYDEX’s innovations are fulfilling the need to absorb greater amounts of destructive energy in smaller spaces, using thinner, lighter materials to carry out on the battlefield.
For more information, please visit www.skydex.com.
