...for the next-generation U.S. Space Launch System (SLS) under a NASA Research Announcement. The Ball Reliable Advanced Integrated Network (BRAIN) will deliver a single-solution prototype antenna that allows for sustained high data rate downlink from launch through mission completion. The high-performance antenna is operative for only seven-to-twelve minutes—the critical amount of time needed for sending telemetry and to video link to the ground during launch phase.

The SLS will be the most powerful rocket the U.S. has built since the Apollo-era Saturn V booster, and will carry humans deeper into space than ever before. This is Ball’s first contract win for the SLS. As part of the company’s manned exploration portfolio, work is continuing on the Orion phased array antenna. Ball is also supplying other components to Lockheed Martin in support of Orion including docking cameras, star trackers and the vision navigation system which was demonstrated on STS-134. Ball Aerospace worked on flight avionics as part of the NASA Ares contract for human-rated launch capabilities to the Boeing Company. Ball is leveraging advanced, high reliability and fault tolerant systems technologies in pursuit of other human spaceflight business opportunities such as NASA’s Commercial Crew and the International Space Station.

The NASA NRA supports an evolutionary development strategy for SLS that allows for incremental progress within constrained budgets. To achieve this goal, NASA has solicited innovative development concepts from both industry and academic institutions that improve affordability, reliability or performance.