ONHS Report: FA9453-21-S-0001

SPACE TECHNOLOGY ADVANCED RESEARCH-FAST-TRACKING INNOVATIVE SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE (STAR-FISH) ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) WITH CALLS

Solicitation ID: FA9453-21-S-0001

Agency: AFRL/RV

Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation

Deadline: 2030-03-23T02:00:00 ET

Eligibility: Maybe (Dual Approval Required)

Funding: Awards will range from $50,000 to $100,000,000.

Doc Type: BAA

Clearance: No

Program Manager: daniel.alvarado.12@spaceforce.mil

Last Updated: 2025-11-24 13:22

Analyzed File: STAR FISH ARA_w CALLS_ 23 Apr 21.pdf (with Amendment 3.pdf)

Eligibility Reasoning

The FFRDC's sponsoring agency must first make a determination that the effort being proposed falls within the purpose, mission, general scope of effort, or special competency of the FFRDC... In addition, the non-sponsoring agency (in this case AFRL) must make a determination that the work proposed would not place the FFRDC in direct competition with domestic private industry. Only after these determinations are made would a determination be made concerning the FFRDC's eligibility to receive an award.

Note: This is an AI-generated summary...

Summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate has released the Space Technology Advanced Research-Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) (FA9453-21-S-0001). This is an open framework ARA that functions as an umbrella for future opportunities, which will be released as individual "CALLS." No proposals should be submitted against the base ARA. The program seeks research, development, prototyping, and analysis of space-flight technologies. Key technical areas of interest include: 1) Space vehicle functionality and logistics (e.g., large deployable structures, power, autonomy, on-orbit servicing); 2) Mission effects and capabilities (e.g., space-based sensing, PNT, space solar power, communications); 3) Anomaly detection and protection (e.g., threat warning, cyber defense); and 4) Space Battle Management, Command, and Control (BMC2) (e.g., data fusion, AI/ML). CALLS will specify either a one-step (proposal) or two-step (white paper followed by a potential proposal request) process. The government anticipates multiple awards per CALL, with individual award values ranging from $50,000 to $100,000,000, using a mix of instruments like FAR-based contracts and Other Transactions (OTs). The solicitation is unrestricted, but compliance with export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) is mandatory, requiring a certified DD Form 2345 with proposals.

Overall Technical Areas

Spacecraft Systems & SubsystemsOn-Orbit Servicing & ManufacturingSpace Debris ManagementAdvanced Spacecraft ManufacturingGuidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)Space-Based Sensing TechnologiesAI, Machine Learning & Data FusionModeling, Simulation & AnalysisSatellite Communications & Signal ProcessingSpace Power & Energy SystemsDeployable Structures & Resilient MaterialsSpace System CybersecurityThreat Detection & Anomaly AttributionIonospheric Effects & Modification

Probable LBNL Areas

BSACSAEESAESAETALDPSA

Focus Areas

Example Priorities:

Enhance core spacecraft components and subsystems to enable game-changing improvements in agility, resilience, affordability and performance for DoD spacecraft.
Specific areas of technology being sought include: large deployable structures and apertures; thermal control systems; integrated structural sensing; resilient materials and structures; agile manufacturing; power generation, distribution, management, and storage; command and data handling, including networking within and between spacecraft; survivable and cyber-resistant space-flight electronics; guidance, navigation, and control; agile maneuver; and autonomy.
innovative technologies that enable logistics support to space operations are being sought, such as: reliable and responsive space access; resilient command and control networks; on- orbit manufacturing, assembly, repair, resupply and repurposing; and space debris mitigation.
technologies that enable disaggregated bus and payload concepts, as well as small satellite development and demonstrations.

Specific Technical Skills:

Large Deployable StructuresThermal Control SystemsResilient MaterialsAgile ManufacturingSpacecraft Power SystemsGuidance, Navigation, and ControlOn-Orbit Servicing & ManufacturingSpace Debris MitigationSmall Satellite DevelopmentSpacecraft Autonomy

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Jennifer Stokes-Draut	0.68	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Anand Krishnan Prakash	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Prakash Rao	0.68	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg & Industrial App Dpt
Guoying Chen	0.68	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt
Peng Peng	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Sustainable Energy Dept
Peter Tennessen	0.67	PSA \| Engineering \| Mechanical Engineering
Sunhee Baik	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Energy Markets & Policy
Blake Simmons	0.67	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Biodesign Dept
Chris Dames	0.67	ETA \| ESDR \| Energy Storage & Dist Dpt
Louis-Benoit Desroches	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Energy Efficiency Studies

Example Priorities:

space-based sensing technologies to detect, track, characterize and warn of rapidly evolving & emerging threats; battlespace awareness;
ionospheric specification, forecast and modification techniques to improve radar and communication systems performance by exploiting environmental conditions;
space communication hardware (e.g. antennas, feed networks, transmitters, receivers, amplifier/electronics, signal processing, etc.), software and networks to enable access to new band-width and seamlessly interconnect warfighters across multiple domains;
affordable or rapidly deployable position, navigation and timing (PNT) payload technologies and concepts; resilient multi-layer PNT architectures and signals;
quantum sensing and timing (including time transfer);
efficient transfer of solar power from space-based platforms to transportable remote receivers;

Specific Technical Skills:

Space-Based SensingIonospheric ModelingRF Hardware DesignSignal ProcessingPosition, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)Resilient ArchitecturesInertial Navigation SystemsQuantum SensingQuantum TimingSpace-Based Solar Power

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Qiang Du	0.70	PSA \| Engineering \| Electronic Engineering
Alp Sipahigil	0.69	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics
Shawn Tornga	0.69	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Andre Santos	0.69	EESA \| CESD \| Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Stijn (Stan) Wielandt	0.68	EESA \| EG \| Geophysics Dept
Boubacar Kante	0.68	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics
Irfan Siddiqi	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Meriam Gay Bautista-Jurney	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Arun Persaud	0.68	PSA \| ATAP \| FS&IBT
Emil Rofors	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP

Example Priorities:

Develop analytic tools and sensors to predict, detect, and aid in distinguishing the effects of natural and man-made threats to spacecraft, payloads and space services.
data exploitation algorithms for timely threat warning characterization of space events and objects;
innovative design and operation options to specify, predict, mitigate, and avoid natural and man-made hazards to DoD space systems;
cyber threat warning and protection;
passive and active protection options to avoid or mitigate the effect of anomalies or actions to disrupt, deny, degrade, or destroy space-flight systems and services.

Specific Technical Skills:

Predictive AnalyticsAnomaly DetectionSpace Environment ModelingData Exploitation AlgorithmsThreat Warning SystemsCyber Threat ProtectionSpace System HardeningPassive Protection SystemsActive Protection SystemsModeling and Simulation

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Shawn Tornga	0.70	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Alexander Sim	0.69	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Emil Rofors	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Sunhee Baik	0.67	ETA \| Energy Analysis & Environmental Impacts \| Energy Markets & Policy
Gazi Mahmud	0.67	BSA \| Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio
Marco Pritoni	0.67	ETA \| Building Technology & Urban Systems \| Bldg Technologies Dept
Samuel Williams	0.67	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Sean Peisert	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
Zhe Bai	0.67	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Marco Salathe	0.67	PSA \| NSD \| ANP

Example Priorities:

Enable uninterrupted delivery of tactical, operational and strategic space services within a contested environment by providing unprecedented domain awareness; accurate and timely battle management tools; and robust command and control options.
data fusion, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related methods for rapid threat assessment and response;
multi-domain (land, sea, air, and space) net-centric command and control concepts;
autonomy and on-board threat assessment algorithms to enhance satellite resiliency;
integration of allied, commercial, and non-traditional capabilities.

Specific Technical Skills:

Data FusionMachine LearningArtificial IntelligenceThreat AssessmentMulti-Domain OperationsNet-Centric C2Satellite AutonomyOn-Board ProcessingBattle Management ToolsDomain Awareness

Potential PIs for this Area:

Name	Score	Organization
Shawn Tornga	0.72	LD \| LD \| ONHS
Alexander Sim	0.69	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Gazi Mahmud	0.69	BSA \| Environmental Genomics & Systems Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio
Zhe Bai	0.69	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Nicola Falco	0.68	EESA \| CESD \| Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Samuel Williams	0.68	CSA \| AMCR \| Computer Science
Marco Salathe	0.68	PSA \| NSD \| ANP
Edward Bethel	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Research
Oluwamayowa Amusat	0.67	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications
John Wu	0.67	CSA \| Scientific Networking (ESNET) \| Tech Adv and Engagement

Potential LBNL PIs (Overall)

Note on PI Matching: These suggestions are generated through an AI-driven semantic analysis of LBNL staff profiles.

Name	Score	Organization
Zachary Needell	0.75	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Modeling, Simulation & Analysis
Alexandre Bayen	0.74	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT)
Ronald Cohen	0.74	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Space-Based Sensing Technologies
Claire Tomlin	0.74	BSA \| Biological Systems & Engineering \| Department of BioEngineering and BioMedical Sciences · Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)
Jacob Hilzinger	0.74	BSA \| Env. Genomics & Sys. Biology \| Molecular Ecosystems Bio · Advanced Spacecraft Manufacturing
Tiffany Connors	0.73	CSA \| NERSC \| Data Center Department · Space System Cybersecurity
Eric Masanet	0.73	ETA \| Energy Analysis \| Systems & Energy Tech Analysis · Space Power & Energy Systems
Qin Yu	0.73	ESA \| MSD \| Material Physics · Deployable Structures & Resilient Materials
Yuankun Xu	0.72	EESA \| EG \| Geophysics Dept · Ionospheric Effects & Modification
Satyarth Praveen	0.72	CSA \| SciData \| Data Science Applications · AI, Machine Learning & Data Fusion

Fundamental Research Exemption (FRE)

c. Export Control: Information involved in this research effort is subject to Export Control (International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 22 CFR Parts 120-130, or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR Parts 730-774). A Certified DD Form 2345, Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement, will be required to be submitted with proposal.