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Self-Erecting Communications Infrastructure

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
83906 		Program Year/Program:
2007 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
065936 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2007
Title: Self-Erecting Communications Infrastructure
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNL07AA92P
Award Amount: $99,992.00
 

Abstract:

Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) proposes to significantly improve the performance of communication systems and networks for lunar and interplanetary exploration by engineering a novel communications tower using an emerging structures technology called VeritexTM. VeritexTM is a new structures technology based on shape memory polymer that offers the strength-to-weight ratio of high-performance composites and enables dramatic physical reconfiguration. One of the best applications of VeritexTM is to reduce the volume fraction of structures during shipping. CRG's Future Systems Group will use this technology to engineer a low mass, low packing volume, self-erecting communications tower technology for lunar and interplanetary exploration operations. The innovation of this proposal is in the scale-up of existing deployable structures technology from 3 to 30 meter scale and the engineering of a self-erecting tower. With this innovation in place, lunar communication challenges such as increased point-to-point range, reduced power requirements, large area coverage, and minimized dead-zones will be overcome. During Phase 1, CRG will demonstrate that this technology is both technically feasible and cost effective for lunar operations, maximizing return on investment for exploration operations. During Phase 2, CRG will prototype a large-scale, fully operational tower for demonstration purposes.

Principal Investigator:

Ernie P. Havens
Principal Investigator
9373201877
havensde@crgrp.net

Business Contact:

Patrick S. Hood
Business Official
9373201877
hoodpj@crgrp.net
Small Business Information at Submission:

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
2750 Indian Ripple Road Dayton, OH 45440

EIN/Tax ID: 311517769
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No