 | |
| An Umbra SAR image of Crater Lake, Oregon. Photo: Umbra |
Summary
Umbra has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to progress to Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program. The DRIFT program leverages data from multiple Umbra Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites flown in formation to develop groundbreaking processing algorithms. Phase II involves a multi-month collection campaign, during which Umbra's SAR satellites will generate bistatic and multistatic datasets for further analysis by DARPA and its partner contractors. At the end of Phase II, Umbra will conduct an on-orbit demonstration showcasing the multistatic capabilities it has developed.
DARPA has also awarded contracts to Terran Orbital's PredaSAR unit, Northrop Grumman, and Jacobs under the DRIFT program. PredaSAR, along with Umbra, has been funded under Technical Area 1 for formation flying and data collection. Northrop Grumman and Jacobs have received contracts under Technical Area 2 to develop processing algorithms that use the data from the satellites operated by Umbra and PredaSAR.
The DRIFT program is a key part of DARPA's Mosaic Warfare vision to overwhelm enemies with a large number of weapon and sensor platforms. It aims to take advantage of developments in SAR satellites driven by commercial companies and experiment with novel SAR-related concepts.
Umbra progresses to next phase in DARPA radar tech program
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) May 02, 2024
Umbra, a company specializing in space technology, has advanced to Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program, managed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). This progression marks a key step for Umbra in supporting DARPA's goal to develop critical technologies for national security.
The DRIFT program utilizes multiple Umbra Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, which operate in formation to enable the creation of advanced processing algorithms. These developments in coordinated flying and data collection reflect Umbra's expertise in remote sensing and its dedication to advancing technological boundaries in space systems.
The next phase involves an extensive collection campaign over several months, where Umbra's SAR satellites will collect bistatic and multistatic data sets for further evaluation by DARPA and associated contractors. The phase is set to culminate with an in-space demonstration of the multistatic capabilities developed by Umbra.
Jason Mallare, Vice President of Global Solutions at Umbra, shared his enthusiasm, saying, "We're grateful to contribute to DARPA's vision, leveraging top-tier U.S. capabilities for asymmetric advantage. Umbra's differentiated technology and relentless focus on tech evolution drive us forward. We're excited about the future this technology and similar capabilities hold for Umbra and the nation."
Recently, Umbra showcased bistatic imagery obtained from its tandem satellites. With six satellites currently deployed and plans for a total of 32 in strategic pairs, Umbra's SAR satellites provide indispensable day/night, all-weather monitoring capabilities. These satellites offer high-quality SAR data crucial for the U.S. Government, its allies, and commercial entities, providing them with actionable insights regardless of weather conditions.
Related Links
UMBRA
Space Technology News - Applications and Research
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2023 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.
May 01, 2024, 8:00 AM ET
, /PRNewswire/ -- Umbra, a vertically integrated space technology company, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to progress to Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program. This significant milestone underscores Umbra's pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge capabilities for DARPA's mission to create breakthrough technologies for national security.
Umbra, a vertically integrated space technology company, advances to Phase II of the DARPA DRIFT Program
The DRIFT program leverages data from multiple Umbra Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites flown in formation, paving the way for the development of groundbreaking processing algorithms. These U.S. capability advancements in formation flying and joint collection techniques are a testament to Umbra's expertise in remote sensing space systems and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Phase II entails a comprehensive multi-month collection campaign, during which Umbra's SAR satellites will generate bistatic and multistatic datasets for further analysis by DARPA and its partner contractors in the DRIFT program. At the culmination of Phase II, Umbra will conduct an on-orbit demonstration showcasing the multistatic capabilities it has developed.
Jason Mallare, Vice President of Global Solutions at Umbra, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We're grateful to contribute to DARPA's vision, leveraging top-tier U.S. capabilities for asymmetric advantage. Umbra's differentiated technology and relentless focus on tech evolution drive us forward. We're excited about the future this technology and similar capabilities hold for Umbra and the nation."
In March, Umbra released bistatic imagery from its tandem satellites. With six satellites currently in orbit, Umbra plans to deploy the remaining satellites in its licensed 32-satellite constellation in strategically designed pairs.
With the unique ability to capture images at day/night, all-weather capable, Umbra's SAR satellites are indispensable for monitoring change. Umbra's satellites deliver the highest quality SAR data at unprecedented volumes and area density, enabling the U.S. Government, its allies, and commercial partners with actionable, all-weather insights.
ABOUT UMBRA
Umbra is a vertically integrated space technology company that offers intelligence data as a service to commercial and government customers. Our cutting-edge products help customers solve complex business, environmental, and security challenges. Umbra is founded, funded, built and operated in the USA with headquarters in Santa Barbara, California, and has a presence in Austin, Texas, and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit https://umbra.space
Umbra Press Contact
Jon Galpern
Umbra Media Relations
805-618-4407
jon.galpern@umbra.space
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/umbra-advances-to-phase-ii-of-the-darpa-drift-program-302132502.html
SOURCE Umbra
NOTE: This content is not written by or endorsed by "KLST/KSAN", its advertisers, or Nexstar Media Inc.
DARPA Selects Umbra for Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) Program
everythingrf.comUmbra, a vertically integrated space technology company, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to progress to Phase II of the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program. This significant milestone underscores Umbra's pivotal role in advancing cutting-edge capabilities for DARPA's mission to create breakthrough technologies for national security.
The DRIFT program leverages data from multiple Umbra Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites flown in formation, paving the way for the development of groundbreaking processing algorithms. These U.S. capability advancements in formation flying and joint collection techniques are a testament to Umbra's expertise in remote sensing space systems and its commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation.
Phase II entails a comprehensive multi-month collection campaign, during which Umbra's SAR satellites will generate bistatic and multistatic datasets for further analysis by DARPA and its partner contractors in the DRIFT program. At the culmination of Phase II, Umbra will conduct an on-orbit demonstration showcasing the multistatic capabilities it has developed.
Jason Mallare, Vice President of Global Solutions at Umbra, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We're grateful to contribute to DARPA's vision, leveraging top-tier U.S. capabilities for asymmetric advantage. Umbra's differentiated technology and relentless focus on tech evolution drive us forward. We're excited about the future this technology and similar capabilities hold for Umbra and the nation."
In March, Umbra released bistatic imagery from its tandem satellites. With six satellites currently in orbit, Umbra plans to deploy the remaining satellites in its licensed 32-satellite constellation in strategically designed pairs.
With the unique ability to capture images at day/night, all-weather capable, Umbra's SAR satellites are indispensable for monitoring change. Umbra's satellites deliver the highest quality SAR data at unprecedented volumes and area density, enabling the U.S. Government, its allies, and commercial partners with actionable, all-weather insights.
Click here to learn more about Umbra.
Click here to learn more about DARPA.
Publisher: everything RFDARPA Awards 4 Contracts for SAR Collection and Processing Under the Drift Program
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded four contracts aimed at flying synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites in formation to demonstrate novel imagery collection techniques and enable the development of new algorithms to process the radar data from multiple satellites.
The awards to Umbra, Terran Orbital’s PredaSAR unit, Northrop Grumman and Jacobs were made in late 2022 and early 2023 under the Distributed Radar Image Formation Technology (DRIFT) program, which DARPA says is a key part of its Mosaic Warfare vision to overwhelm enemies with a large number of weapon and sensor platforms.
Umbra and PredaSAR have been funded under other transaction agreements potentially worth $4.5 million and $500,000, respectively, in government funding under Technical Area 1, which is entitled “Formation Flying and Data Collection.” Umbra and PredaSAR make SAR Earth observation satellites.
The DRIFT program was established to take advantage of developments in SAR satellites that have been driven by commercial companies and “offer new opportunities to experiment with novel SAR-related concepts,” DARPA said.
Umbra on Monday said it will fly at least two of its satellites in formation to demonstrate joint image collection techniques “to create synchronized monostatic and bistatic data in support of program objectives.” Monostatic operations refer to one satellite transmitting and receiving its own radar signal while bistatic operations are when one satellite transmits a radar signal and another spacecraft receives the signal and vice versa.
“Collecting from two platforms simultaneously allows for collection of a wider range of radar returns across two vehicles, which can improve detection of objects that could be missed in a monostatic collection due to the geometry of the scene being imaged,” Todd Master, Umbra’s chief operating officer, told Defense Daily in an email reply to questions about the award. “Basically, you’re imaging the scene from two different vantage points simultaneously and combining the information, yielding better insights for the end users.”
The period of performance under Umbra’s agreement began on April 18 and runs for two years.
Terran Orbital last Thursday said the conceptual design work is expected to take several months and may lead to prototypes and demonstrations.
Northrop Grumman and Jacobs received contracts worth up to $3.9 million and $4 million, respectively, under Technical Area 2, which calls for the development of processing algorithms that use the data from the satellites operated by Umbra and PredaSAR in DRIFT. DARPA said the algorithms are aimed at achieving classified objectives. The agency said that it is acquiring the data and algorithms separately using the Compensated Phase History Data format as a “sensor-independent standard to enable interoperability.”
DARPA said that in the base period of the algorithm development, the companies will develop the algorithms and software and also generate simulated radar data that will be used to test their algorithms. Northrop Grumman began work on Jan. 24 and has until March 15 to complete phase 1. Jacobs began on Feb. 2 and its phase 1 runs until April 2.
If one-year phase 2 options are awarded, the satellite providers will collect on-orbit data that will be provided to the algorithm developers. A potential one-year phase 3 for the algorithm developers would be to optimize their products “to run on tactically relevant timescales,” DARPA said.
This article was first published by Via Satellite sister publication Defense Daily.
No comments:
Post a Comment