Track at Big Distances with Track-Before-Detect (TBD2) DARPA-PS-26-01

The goal of the TBD2 program is to enable continuous space-based detection and tracking of objects in cislunar space on relevant timelines. This effort will increase the safety of cislunar commercial and civilian traffic for the benefit of all nations and enable a sustainable space ecosystem. To accomplish this, TBD2 seeks to advance the state of the art for signal processing algorithms so that when combined with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or quasi-COTS optical sensors and/or focal plane arrays (FPAs), they can a) detect and track faint objects at gigameter (Gm) distances b) operate using available onboard processing capabilities, and c) do so on relevant timelines (within hours).

AMENDMENT 01: The Abstract Due Date is extended to December 4, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. The goal of the TBD2 program is to enable continuous space-based detection and tracking of objects in cislunar space on relevant timelines. This effort will increase the safety of cislunar commercial and civilian traffic for the benefit of all nations and enable a sustainable space ecosystem. To accomplish this, TBD2 seeks to advance the state of the art for signal processing algorithms so that when combined with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or quasi-COTS optical sensors and/or focal plane arrays (FPAs), they can a) detect and track faint objects at gigameter (Gm) distances b) operate using available onboard processing capabilities, and c) do so on relevant timelines (within hours).

AMENDMENT 02: Amendment 2 includes updates to the Solicitation and two (2) Attachments: (Attachment 1) Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide. The CUI Guide is available by request not later than November 21, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. (Attachment 2) DARPA-PS-26-01 Questions and Answers. AMENDMENT 01: The Abstract Due Date is extended to December 4, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. The goal of the TBD2 program is to enable continuous space-based detection and tracking of objects in cislunar space on relevant timelines. This effort will increase the safety of cislunar commercial and civilian traffic for the benefit of all nations and enable a sustainable space ecosystem. To accomplish this, TBD2 seeks to advance the state of the art for signal processing algorithms so that when combined with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or quasi-COTS optical sensors and/or focal plane arrays (FPAs), they can a) detect and track faint objects at gigameter (Gm) distances b) operate using available onboard processing capabilities, and c) do so on relevant timelines (within hours).

AMENDMENT 03: Amendment 3 includes a clarification to Q&A Response #13 only. All other information remains unchanged in the Solicitation and associated Attachments. AMENDMENT 02: Amendment 2 includes updates to the Solicitation and two (2) Attachments: (Attachment 1) Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide. The CUI Guide is available by request not later than November 21, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. (Attachment 2) DARPA-PS-26-01 Questions and Answers. AMENDMENT 01: The Abstract Due Date is extended to December 4, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. The goal of the TBD2 program is to enable continuous space-based detection and tracking of objects in cislunar space on relevant timelines. This effort will increase the safety of cislunar commercial and civilian traffic for the benefit of all nations and enable a sustainable space ecosystem. To accomplish this, TBD2 seeks to advance the state of the art for signal processing algorithms so that when combined with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or quasi-COTS optical sensors and/or focal plane arrays (FPAs), they can a) detect and track faint objects at gigameter (Gm) distances b) operate using available onboard processing capabilities, and c) do so on relevant timelines (within hours).

AMENDMENT 04: Amendment 04 includes an update to Figure 1 on Page 4, and incorporates V3 to the Q&A which adds Q&A #109. All other information remains unchanged in the Solicitation and associated Attachments. AMENDMENT 03: Amendment 3 includes a clarification to Q&A Response #13 only. All other information remains unchanged in the Solicitation and associated Attachments. AMENDMENT 02: Amendment 2 includes updates to the Solicitation and two (2) Attachments: (Attachment 1) Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Guide. The CUI Guide is available by request not later than November 21, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. (Attachment 2) DARPA-PS-26-01 Questions and Answers. AMENDMENT 01: The Abstract Due Date is extended to December 4, 2025, by 12:00 PM ET. The goal of the TBD2 program is to enable continuous space-based detection and tracking of objects in cislunar space on relevant timelines. This effort will increase the safety of cislunar commercial and civilian traffic for the benefit of all nations and enable a sustainable space ecosystem. To accomplish this, TBD2 seeks to advance the state of the art for signal processing algorithms so that when combined with commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) or quasi-COTS optical sensors and/or focal plane arrays (FPAs), they can a) detect and track faint objects at gigameter (Gm) distances b) operate using available onboard processing capabilities, and c) do so on relevant timelines (within hours).