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Enhanced PBO Fiber Reinforced Balloon Envelope Materials for Titan Aerobots

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
88047 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
075136 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Infoscitex Corporation
303 BEAR HILL RD WALTHAM, MA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Enhanced PBO Fiber Reinforced Balloon Envelope Materials for Titan Aerobots
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX08CB98P
Award Amount: $99,932.00
 

Abstract:

Lighter-than-atmosphere (LTA) systems provide significant advantages for planetary exploration due to their potential for extended mission duration, long traverse, and extensive surface coverage capabilities. However, LTA vehicles must withstand the atmosphere of these planets and moons. The atmosphere is often a challenging environment for the exterior balloon envelope materials primarily due to its extreme cold and complex chemistry. In this Phase I, Infoscitex (IST) will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating a high specific strength fiber reinforced balloon material that can replace the currently marginally viable materials based on polyester film and fabric laminates. IST will develop an environmentally stable PBO fiber and use it to reinforce a new balloon envelope material that enables at least a 50% improvement in the strength to weight ratio while exceeding the flexibility to the current polyester materials in a Titan atmosphere. It is possible to achieve areal densities with this material that are in the range of 40 g/m2 that can support both super pressure and zero pressure balloon concepts. During the Phase I program, IST will demonstrate the feasibility of the enhancing the PBO fiber with UV and hydrolysis protection via significant balloon material sample fabrication and cryogenic testing.

Principal Investigator:

Robert F. Kovar
Principal Investigator
7818901338
bkovar@infoscitex.com

Business Contact:

Michelle M. Sansivero
Contract Administrator
7818901338
msansivero@infoscitex.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Infoscitex Corporation
303 Bear Hill Road Waltham, MA 02451

EIN/Tax ID: 043537120
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No