U.S. Naval Research Laboratory

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory has successfully developed robotics to service satellites in orbit, extending their lifespan and reducing the need for costly replacements. This breakthrough in space tech will revolutionize satellite maintenance, enhancing mission reliability and sustainability. ???? Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/e6dmzSP4 #SpaceTech #SatelliteServicing #NRL #Innovation #DefenseTech #SpaceExploration #collaboration #partnerships #RSGS US Navy United States Department of Defense Northrop Grumman Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

#TechTuesday RSGS??? Satellites perform critical national defense, science, and commerce missions – but unlike airplanes or ships or tanks, a satellite can’t be fixed when it breaks or upgraded when its sensors are out of date. Under DARPA funding, NRL developed the Robotic Servicing of Geosynchronous Satellites (RSGS) Integrated Robotic Payload (IRP). This transformative new space capability was delivered to DARPA’s commercial partner, Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics, for integration with its spacecraft bus, the Mission Robotics Vehicle (MRV). NRL has spent over two decades designing and building robotic spacecraft that can safely and reliably repair and upgrade billion dollar commercial and DoD satellites. In the near future, robotic satellite “mechanics” may extend the useful life of satellites by upgrading a variety of capabilities including new electronics, propulsion, and sensors capabilities. RSGS robots could demonstrate broad servicing as a precursor to building large structures in-orbit which could include the next great observatory, solar power stations, or other revolutionary new systems. Read more about RSGS here: https://lnkd.in/ebdFpBQH #SatelliteOperations #FutureOfSpace #spacescience #spaceexploration #NCST #spacetech #spacecraftengineering #spacesystems #RSGS #DARPA #satellites #collaboration #partnerships US Navy United States Department of Defense Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Northrop Grumman

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) through the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Under the mentorship of Dr. Jeremy Robinson, I contributed to research focused on developing and characterizing solution-based molybdenum disulfide (MoS?) thin-films. My work involved designing protocols to fabricate films with varying thicknesses via drop-casting solution-based MoS? and evaluating their thickness, morphology, and microstructure using atomic force microscopy (AFM). To optimize the films’ optical properties, I conducted photoluminescence (PL) and Raman spectroscopy studies across different annealing temperatures and film thicknesses. I also performed sulfur annealing to address sulfur vacancies introduced during the megasonication process used to create the solution, confirming our hypothesis that sulfur healing enhances the optical response. Additionally, I analyzed optical transitions at various film thicknesses and annealing conditions using Gaussian fitting techniques. This work is significant because monolayer MoS?, a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD), has a direct bandgap and is highly promising for future use in electronics and optics as emitters and detectors. However, wafer-scale fabrication of thin films remains a challenge, as most studies rely on mechanically exfoliated films that are not scalable. By exploring drop-casting techniques with solution-based MoS? inks, our work aims to address this limitation and advance scalable fabrication methods for TMDs. I am grateful to Dr. Robinson, NRL, ONR, and NREIP for providing this opportunity to engage in impactful research and deepen my understanding of thin-film fabrication and characterization.

?? Change of Command at VXS-1: A Legacy of Excellence Continues ?? On Nov. 14, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) marked a significant milestone with the change of command ceremony for VXS-1, the Warlocks, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Cmdr. J. Aaron Roberts passed command of the squadron to Cmdr. Luis A. Levine, who assumes leadership as the 17th Commanding Officer. Under Cmdr. Roberts’ leadership, VXS-1 achieved remarkable success, logging over 1,500 mishap-free flight hours and supporting 19 critical science and technology projects worldwide. His stewardship advanced cutting-edge capabilities in under-sea and over-the-horizon threat detection, coastal mapping, and much more—contributing directly to the Navy’s mission and national defense. In recognition of his exceptional service, Cmdr. Roberts was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by NRL’s CO, Capt. Jesse Black, while Rear Adm. Kurt Rothenhaus, Chief of Naval Research, praised his leadership and commitment to advancing technological innovation for the fleet. As Cmdr. Roberts retires after 21 years of service, we extend our deepest gratitude for his outstanding contributions to VXS-1 and the Naval Research Enterprise. Looking ahead, Cmdr. Levine is poised to continue the squadron's legacy of excellence, ensuring that VXS-1 remains at the forefront of airborne research, innovation, and support to the fleet. ?? “We will continue to deliver essential scientific solutions to the warfighter and modernize the technologies that keep us ahead of the curve,” said Cmdr. Levine. Join us in celebrating this transition and the incredible team at VXS-1! ? Read more about VXS-1 and the change of command ceremony here: https://lnkd.in/eYa5BYPn #NRL #NavalResearch #VXS1 #NavalAviation #Warlocks #Innovation #Leadership #CommandChange #ScienceAndTechnology #NavalResearchLab #NavyStrong US Navy United States Department of Defense

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully completed development of a spaceflight qualified robotics suite capable of servicing satellites in orbit. ? “This collaboration unlocks new servicing opportunities for both commercial and government satellites, enabling usual-close inspections, orbital adjustments, hardware upgrades, and repairs,” said Bernie Kelm, NRL NCST superintendent of the Spacecraft Engineering Division. ? ?? https://lnkd.in/gfvjEPfa

Many thanks to the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for hosting a visit by 13 of our SHREC graduate students at their facility, growing our collaborations in space research and workforce development.

Many thanks to the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory for hosting a visit by 13 of our ECE graduate students at their facility, growing our collaborations in space research and workforce development.

??Advancing Space Robotics: The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory delivers a robotic payload to Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle, pushing satellite servicing and sustainability forward. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gaNiJhGW

The need to quickly detect and identify chemical threats it is crucial! This is why the #DTRAJSTO has invested in an effort with American Institute for Manufacturing Photonics at the SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, the U.S. Army DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory Combat Capabilities Development Command–Chemical and Biological Center, the U.S. Army Research Laboratory, and the University of Rochester to develop this next generation of highly sensitive and selective chemical agent sensors based on photonics. Read more in this month’s #JSTOintheNews on ???????????????? ?????????? ?????? ????????????: https://bit.ly/4f7T26r #ChembioDefense #ScienceandTechnology?#ResearchandDevelopment #ProtectingOurJointForce

https://lnkd.in/e6dQWn56 U.S. Naval Research Laboratory #sourcessought #bizops #c4isr #digitalprocessing #power #communications #command #telemetry #systemsengineering #intelligencecommunity #intelligencecommunitynews