1/28/2015 1USU/SDL Seminar Series

The Evolution of the USU Research Foundation

and the Space Dynamics Lab

January 28, 2015

1/28/2015 2USU/SDL Seminar Series

Research Foundation Trustees

Jeffery B. EdwardsChairman

Richard L. Shipley Robert T. Behunin David A. Bell David T. Cowley

Christine E. Hailey Lynn W. Heninger Roderick J. Linton Mark R. McLellan

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Research Foundation Organization

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Space Dynamics Lab Organization

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Research Foundation/SDL at a Glance• Founded in 1959

• Not-for-profit 501(c)(3) owned by Utah State University

• $66.7 M FY14 Revenue

• 480 employees ~380 professional staff ~100 university student employees

• 430+ Successful Space missions Satellite-based sensor systems Shuttle and ISS instruments Sounding rocket payloads

• Over a Decade of C4ISR Missions Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance UAV and aircraft-based sensor suites In-theater C4ISR hardware and software systems

• 220,000 ft2 state-of-the-art facilities

• One of 14 University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) in the Nation Sponsored by MDA One of the six original DoD UARCs

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A University Affiliated Research CenterWhat is a UARC?

• Contract R&D center affiliated with a university (1996)• Provides or maintains essential core capabilities for DoD

UARC concept put in place to help maintain capabilities critical for DoD current & future needs

UARCs have non-overlapping core competencies• Receives sole-source DoD funding > $2M annually under authority of 10 U.S.C.

2304(c)(3)(B)• Maintains a strategic relationship with DoD

Responds to evolving sponsor requirements Broad corporate knowledge UARC provides ease of access to technical expertise Independent assessment and development of technology Transfer technology to industry

• University affiliation Access to scientific and academic resources Develop next generation workforce Access to cost effective talent pool

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SDL’s Core Competencies• UARC Core Competencies

Electro-optical sensor systems research and development

Innovative sensor components and systems

Cryo-systems, thermal design, development, and handling

Data processing, handling, and analysis

Program management

Sensor calibration, characterization, test and evaluation

Ground, airborne and space rated instruments and payloads development, test and evaluation, integration, validation and operations

Data compression/decompression and data visualization for sensor analysis, data exploitation and data fusion

Phenomenology measurements, modeling, and simulation

Sensor modeling and simulation

Small/micro satellite sensor systems and components.

• SDL also provides unique and vital tactical C4ISR development, analysis, full life-cycle support, training, and direct support in the following areas: Ground Stations and Exploitation Software

Tactical Manned and UAV-Capable Sensor Systems

Mission Support Hardware

Flight Testing and Planning

Cyber Security

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The Winds of Change

• The Evolution of the Research Foundation

Designated as a UARC (1996)

Evolving Revenue by Division

Customer Evolution

Workforce Evolution

Evolving Program Types

Evolution of Non-SDL Revenue

Evolving SDL Locations

Although men are accused of not knowing their own weakness, yet

perhaps few know their own strength. It is in men as in soils, where

sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not of.

- Jonathan Swift

If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is

painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion.

- Aldous Huxley (1894-1963), The Perennial Philosophy

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Changing Division Revenue ($)

2005 2014

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Changing Division Revenue (%)

2005 2014

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Changing Customers

2005 2014

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Changing Workforce

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

Calibration Eng Electrical Eng E/O Eng Mechanical Eng Software Eng Scientist Systems Eng Technologist

2004 2014

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Changing Program Types

15%

85%

Classified Unclassified Restricted

41%

57%

2%

Classified Unclassified Restricted

2005 2014

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Research Foundation Revenue Sources

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2005 SDL Locations

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2014 SDL Locations

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Recognizing the Elephant in the Room• In the past, it has been assumed that Research Foundation growth will

come through new ventures

New ventures BSL, WDL, & EDL were not sustainable,

SDL and its role as a UARC has not been understood so it has been

easier to focus on new ventures,

SDL has done well in the past so it has been left alone.

• Growth, in the near-term, will need to come through SDLs current role

as a “trusted agent of the government”

UARC -> low risk for low margins,

We won’t get rich, but students will be trained, and both the

Cache Valley’s economy and USU’s reputation will be enhanced!

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Identifying and Pursuing our Strengths• Focus on building the strengths and core competencies of SDL

Current SDL customers are changing to embrace value, SDL’s reputation is stronger than ever, Increase effort pursuing government opportunities, Increase effort pursuing data-driven opportunities, Aggressively pursue science-based opportunities.

• Continue to look for commercial opportunities that make sense Continue to understand and develop the IP created through SDL

IR&D and contracts.

• Enhance the relationship with USU College of Engineering sponsored liaison with SDL, USU/SDL Seminar Series (two seminars/month), 10 Research Foundation/SDL employees teaching USU courses, Faculty consulting/contract work/IR&D, Students: graduate & undergraduate fellowship programs, Focus on undergraduate science & engineering retention.

There is a tide in the affairs of men.Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;Omitted, all the voyage of their lifeIs bound in shallows and in miseries.On such a full sea are we now afloat,And we must take the current when it serves,Or lose our ventures.

- Julius Caesar Act 4, scene 3

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Internal Research & DevelopmentPotential Areas for Space Dynamics Lab Internal Research & Development

C4ISR Customer’s Strategic Vision

Civil Space Customer’s Strategic Vision

Military Space Customer’s Strategic Vision

Systems Calibration Customer’s Strategic Vision

PotentialOpportunities

For SDL

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Potential Research Collaboration Topics• Software engineering and re-engineering of software to

maximize performance in DoD systems• Software algorithm development for tracking between

multiple sensors and systems

• Meta Materials and designing next generational materials into current systems.

• Cryptography, Cyber Analytics and High Speed Networks (data assimilation)

• Modular open systems and architectures

• Quantum lasers, quantum communications. • Next generation sensors and systems• Space environmental sensing and modeling

• Miniaturization and power efficiency gains for use in small satellites.

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Take Away Messages

• The USU Research Foundation/SDL is a separate not-for-profit and not an academic research center.• The USU Research Foundation/SDL are not subsidized by the university or state and live exclusively

on the contracts they are awarded.

• SDL has embraced it’s role as a UARC and a “trusted agent of the government.”• SDL has expanded it’s core capabilities to include software development.• The USU Research Foundation and SDL are looking for ways to collaborate with USU faculty on our

R&D contracts.

• The USU Research Foundation and SDL are looking for ways to enhance and support the teaching mission of the colleges of engineering and science.

• The USU Research Foundation and SDL are looking for ways to enhance the work and learning experience for the students they hire.

• The USU Research Foundation and SDL will continue to support student related projects and activities in the colleges of engineering and science.

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Thank You