Explore our past challenges to learn how Hyperspace Challenge has fostered innovation in space technology year after year. From advanced satellite systems to AI-driven data solutions, see how startups and researchers have tackled the biggest challenges facing the space industry.
2023 Problem Statements
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO), created in 2019 to accelerate government acquisition of key commercial space technologies, is looking for companies with proven track records and mature technologies to help protect space assets from threats. Specifically, Space RCO is pursuing products that:
Space Rapid Capabilities Office
Increase Space Visibility and Awareness
Using threat and hazard awareness capabilities that can quickly and accurately detect and prioritize threats either from the ground or space.
Advance Space Analysis and Vehicle Autonomy
Using artificial intelligence, machine learning, and/or autonomous technologies that reduce ground-based vehicle operator workload, inform intelligent vehicle response decisions, and decrease vehicle response time.
Increase Space Vehicle Lifespan and Maneuverability
Using advanced propulsion, refueling capabilities, and/or other fuel conservation innovations that allow space assets to maneuver freely without future negative consequences.
2021 Problem Statements
—
Quantum computing
How might we more precisely track the trajectory of orbiting space debris by pairing new statistical methods with existing information so that we improve flight safety in space?
—
Smart Sensing and Machine Learning for Ground Based Remote Sensing of Space Objects
How might we leverage advancements in machine learning to quickly understand the objects in space so that our guardians have better real-time awareness?
—
Leveraging microgravity for military and commercial applications and products.
How might we use the microgravity environment in near-Earth orbit to develop both commerical and military applications and products?
—
Rocket cargo technology for agile global logistics
How might we support rocket delivery of emergency supplies anywhere in the world with rapid-delivery logistics packaging and processes?
—
Quantum Sensing for location and em field detection
How might we leverage quantum sensing to detect the undetectable in space?
—
On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing
How might we use autonomous robotic spacecraft to provide cost effective inspection, repair, upgrade, refueling, and decommissioning of spacecraft?
2020 Problem Statements
Trusted Autonomy
Space enterprise lags behind terrestrial and aerial robot development, in both hardware and software. Space qualified hardware is expensive and explains the lag there but software development is constrained by the lack of high speed space processors and general community trust of autonomous operations.
The national space community recognizes the need for highly autonomous, on-orbit operational spacecraft capable of an increasing number of complex tasks, but at the same time asks, how can we be certain that the platforms & algorithms being utilized for space operations can be relied upon? How can we trust autonomy?
—
Next-Level Autonomy in Remote Environments
How might we achieve next-level autonomy in remote environments for servicing of modules or vehicles?
—
Improving Automatic Hazard Detection and Avoidance
How might we improve automatic hazard detection and avoidance to enable safer operations?
—
Enhancing Spacecraft Autonomy with Resilient Computing Solutions
How might we develop the future of hardware solutions for autonomous software in harsh environments?
—
Subproblem: Automatic Hazard Detection for Space Weather
How might we improve automatic hazard detection related specifically to space weather?
2019 Problem Statements
AFRL
Building and deploying a connected network of devices on the Moon.
Distributed surface networks can provide regional sensing, communications, position, navigation, and timing (PNT), and power distribution. However, it’s often not possible to install such networks with a delicate human touch. The Rapid Lunar Lander is a remotely-emplaced, hardened electronics package to service this need.
- Can you harden an electronics package sufficiently to survive a drop from a high altitude onto a relatively soft surface?
- Can you make that hardened electronics package self-initialize to a pre-programmed state upon landing?
- Can you make that hardened electronics package autonomously recognize other like packages and self-organize into an internet of things (IOT)?
We are seeking companies with new solutions for all, or part, of this problem.
US NAVY
Enabling large data transfer from remote environments via low Earth orbit satellites.
The US government is seeking a technology to securely export data from isolated environments, where traditional data links are unavailable, to data processing centers, central decision makers, and other locations. Small satellites have the potential to rapidly provide such solutions at Low Earth Orbits (LEO) to meet existing needs. Solutions should be capable of transmitting/receiving 1Gb in less than 10 minutes utilizing Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology
AFRL
Aggregating large data sets from small satellites to determine changes in human patterns of life.
Small satellites have the potential to rapidly collect a variety of data types over an area of interest. The proliferation of small satellite constellations in recent years has made it such that satellite data are now accessible to anyone with internet access and a credit card. The US government is seeking technologies that enable analysis of data from multiple and various space-based sensors (including but not limited to Visual, Hyperspectral, RF, and large-scale media). Of particular interest are solutions that can process data from multiple sensors collecting continually over a large portion of the Earth yielding analytic output from which pattern of life information may be inferred. Solutions should be capable of processing and analyzing data from two or more aforementioned sensor types and generating solutions that at the minimum identify changes in behaviors over the area of interest.
NASA
Developing new communications systems for deep space missions.
Future missions need better and more innovative communications systems for small spacecraft. As missions look beyond the inner solar system, communications requires more powerful antennas and optical links to send data back to Earth. Current small spacecraft systems are inadequate for the demands of deep space, and will need to be rethought.
NASA
Creating new deep space power systems for small satellites.
Future missions need better and more innovative communications systems for small spacecraft. As missions look beyond the inner solar system, communications requires more powerful antennas and optical links to send data back to Earth. Current small spacecraft systems are inadequate for the demands of deep space, and will need to be rethought.
NASA
Increasing performance of propulsion systems for small satellites (high delta-V propulsion).
In order to achieve reliable cislunar access, U-Class spacecraft will need sufficient Delta-V to reach cislunar orbits with their own propulsion capabilities. Additionally, higher delta-V propulsion systems on small spacecraft is required to increase their capability to conduct exploration missions outside of the Earth-Moon system. Current small propulsion systems have insufficient Delta-V and longevity for U-Class spacecraft to extend beyond current mission profiles. Higher thrust is not necessarily the most important performance parameter if a system has a very long lifetime.
AFRL
Self-organizing distributed satellite networks.
Distributed small satellites networks can range from a few to hundreds of spacecraft. The utility of distributed satellite networks depends upon the ability of each individual spacecraft in the network to act as an informed, but independent, node. As these networks grow, traditional human-in-the-loop operations becomes cumbersome, if not impossible. The US government is seeking technologies to support autonomous, self-organizing distributed satellite networks. The objective is safe, autonomously (human-off-the-loop) flight utilizing sensors and technologies that are hosted and/or can be hosted on a small satellite. Solutions should be capable of re-configuring the distributed satellite network autonomously based on evolving operational user defined mission set(s). Current or emerging capabilities to support this objective are sought.
AIR FORCE
Leveraging New Technologies in SmallSats for Isolated Personnel Rescue
Search and Rescue Techniques, Tactics and Procedures are outdated and do not leverage advances in Computer Vision, AI, ML powered Geospatial Analytics, and other emerging technologies to locate Isolated Personnel (IP) in the open ocean environment.
2018 Problem Statements
U.S. ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Remote estimation of forest density to aid in warfighter mobility support.
Forest characterization using traditional forestry methods requires intricate and thorough field measurements across numerous plots. The level of detail and resolution acquired simply has not been reproduced using remote techniques.
AF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Automatically identify changes to electric power lines, transformers, etc. to better prioritize and allocate resources for in-depth inspections.
Identify changes in infrastructure (power-lines, etc) using automated aerial, space, and other data analyses to better prioritize and allocate resources for in-depth inspections.
ARMY PSYOP
On-demand geospatial data for target audience analysis.
Our PSYOP soldiers need a tool or suite to enable on-demand query and delivery of open source satellite/other geo sensing data to support Target Audience Analysis (TAA).
AF SPACE
Remotely assess infrastructure conditions faster and safer than the current process of manned inspections. (Air Force)
Forest characterization using traditional forestry methods requires intricate and thorough field measurements across numerous plots. The level of detail and resolution acquired simply has not been reproduced using remote techniques.
ARMY
Automatically identify terrain and ground obstacles to enable safe landing of rotorcraft in degraded visual environments.
The Army needs a capability to automatically identify terrain and ground obstacles at standoff in real time to enable safe landing of rotorcraft in degraded visual environments (DVE).