Teledyne Brown Engineering and CASIS Announce Remote Sensing Challenge

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - August 20, 2018 – Teledyne Brown Engineering (TBE) and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) today announced a sponsored program up to $4.5 million, offering researchers the ability to propose flight project concepts for the International Space Station (ISS) focused on remote sensing and Earth observation. Within this opportunity, up to $1 million will be available for researchers to support sensor development. Prospective awardees will utilize the Multi-User System for Earth Sensing (MUSES) platform, developed and managed by TBE. This funding opportunity will run through December 7, 2018.

Through this partnership, CASIS and NASA intend to facilitate in-orbit access to the U.S. National Laboratory on the space station. CASIS is the nonprofit organization responsible for managing and promoting research onboard the ISS National Laboratory.

TBE developed the MUSES platform, to host Earth-viewing instruments such as high-resolution digital cameras and hyperspectral imagers and provide precision pointing and other accommodations. MUSES can simultaneously host up to four instruments and offers the ability to change, upgrade, and robotically service those instruments. It also provides a testbed for technology demonstration and technology maturation by providing long-term access to the space environment on the space station.

Through this funding opportunity, CASIS and TBE seek proposals that wish to leverage the MUSES platform for applications such as (but not limited to) maritime domain awareness, precision agriculture, food security, disaster response, air quality, oil/gas exploration, and fire detection.

The ISS provides researchers a unique vantage point of the Earth, orbiting at approximately 250 miles above the planet’s surface. Additionally, at an orbital inclination of 51.6 degrees and an orbital track recycle time of three days, it provides researchers the ability to evaluate up to 95% of the Earth’s habitable population on a daily basis.

Should interested researchers have questions on this Challenge or to request more information on the capabilities of the MUSES platform, please send all inquiries to opsinfo@iss-casis.org. CASIS will post all questions and answers through the challenge’s microsite.

To learn more about the in-orbit capabilities of the ISS, including past research initiatives and available facilities, visit: www.spacestationresearch.com.

About CASIS: The Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) is the nonprofit organization selected to manage the ISS National Laboratory with a focus on enabling a new era of space research to improve life on Earth. In this innovative role, CASIS promotes and brokers a diverse range of research in life sciences, physical sciences, remote sensing, technology development, and education.

Since 2011, the ISS National Lab portfolio has included hundreds of novel research projects spanning multiple scientific disciplines, all with the intention of benefitting life on Earth. Working together with NASA, CASIS aims to advance the nation’s leadership in commercial space, pursue groundbreaking science not possible on Earth, and leverage the space station to inspire the next generation.

About the ISS National Laboratory: In 2005, Congress designated the U.S. portion of the International Space Station as the nation’s newest national laboratory to maximize its use for improving life on Earth, promoting collaboration among diverse users, and advancing STEM education. This unique laboratory environment is available for use by other U.S. government agencies and by academic and private institutions, providing access to the permanent microgravity setting, vantage point in low Earth orbit, and varied environments of space.

About Teledyne Brown Engineering: Teledyne Brown Engineering is an industry leader in full-spectrum engineering and advanced manufacturing solutions for harsh environments in space, defense, energy, and maritime industries. For over six decades, the company has successfully delivered innovative systems, integration, operations and technology development worldwide. For more information about Teledyne Brown Engineering visit: www.tbe.com.

About Teledyne Technologies Incorporated: Teledyne Technologies is a leading provider of sophisticated instrumentation, digital imaging products and software, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne Technologies’ operations are primarily located in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne Technologies’ website at www.teledyne.com.