AFRL eyes $467 million in space research through new BAA

By Courtney Albon / October 3, 2017 at 10:33 AM

The Air Force Research Laboratory's space vehicle directorate expects to spend about $467 million over the next seven years on space research efforts, according to a recent broad agency announcement.

According to the Sept. 29 BAA, AFRL plans to issue a number of calls for proposals seeking a range of space system research at varying degrees of maturity.

"Efforts will include basic and advanced research, advanced component and technology development, prototyping, and system development and demonstration and will span the range from concept and laboratory experimentation to testing/demonstration in a relevant environment," the document states.

The calls will propose projects across 15 technical areas, including space sensing and imaging concepts, small satellites, satellite communications and solar array architectures.

A funding estimate chart included in the document shows AFRL expects to award $51.5 million in fiscal year 2018 and then slowly ramp up to $66.1 million by FY-25. 

The document does not detail when the initial call for proposals will be issued.

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