NASA Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135

A -- K/KA-BAND PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA FOR DIRECT DATA DISTRIBUTION AND INTERSATELLITE LINKS FROM LEO SOL CAN-96-LERC-3 POC Michael Kinkelaar, CO, (216) 433-2736, MS 500-306 Internet E-Mail: mkinkelaar@lerc.nasa.gov, Robert R. Romanofsky, Proj Mgr, (216) 433- 3507, MS 54-5, E-Mail: caroman@lerc.nasa.gov. NASA plans to initiate a cooperative agreement with industry for the development and demonstration of a K/Ka-band transmit phased array antenna subsystem. This subsystem is primarily intended for commercial and civil applications for which direct data distribution (D^3) is required from communications or remote sensing spacecraft in LEO to tracking Earth terminals. The primary objective of this collaborative effort is to enable a timely space-based demonstration of direct downlink from a LEO platform with at least 622 Mpbs aggregate throughput and terrestrial network interoperability. Inter-satellite links between other LEO, MEO, or GEO spacecraft at commensurate data rates are a secondary application. NASA emphasizes earnest cost-sharing with industry in order to increase the readiness for commercial insertion and bolster the global competitiveness of the U.S. satellite communications industry. NASA intends to provide a complementary ground terminal, an encoder/modulator, and plans to manage and execute a space experiment to validate the technology. Other details were provided in a Request for Information (Sources Sought) which was issued in the August 4, 1995, edition of Commerce Business Daily entitled Space Communication Subsystem. NASA invites industry to help define certain parameters, most importantly, the expected operating frequency between nominally 18 GHz and 40 GHz in order to maximize the impact of this technology development and demonstration effort on commercial satellite communications. NASA seeks industry recommendations and rationale if your organization is interested in such a collaborative technology demonstration and either (a) expects to obtain a license to operate in a specific frequency band and would offer permission to NASA to experiment in that band on a preemptory basis or (b) is willing to accept a frequency band likely to be accessible to NASA for experimental purposes. Submit your input in the form of a white paper, not to exceed 10 pages, by COB February 26, 1996, to Mr. Robert R. Romanofsky at NASA Lewis Research Center, M.S. 54-5, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44135, FAX: (216) 433-8705, e-mail caroman@lerc.nasa.gov. NASA intends to apply FY96 resources to this effort and to release a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) soliciting proposals to competitively procure cooperative arrangements for the D^3 concept about one month following receipt of white papers. A goal of 15% of the total value of the Government share shall be subcontracted to Small Businesses and of this amount 8% shall be subcontracted to Small Disadvantaged Businesses. Effective October 1, 1995, the Internet will be the only source of NASA Lewis Research Center MidRange synopsis and solicitations. Other synopses will continue to be published in the CBD as well as the Internet. Internet Address: http://www.lerc.nasa.gov/Other_Groups/Procure/home.htm See Numbered Note(s): 25. (0026)

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