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Sample Encapsulation Device

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
 Program Year/Program:
2011 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
104376 		Solicitation Year:
2010 		Solicitation Topic Code:
S5.02 		Solicitation Number:
Small Business Information
Cadtrak Engineering, LLC
31 Santa Barbara Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960-1653
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2011
Title: Sample Encapsulation Device
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX11CF55P
Award Amount: $99,492.00
 

Abstract:

NASA's Science Mission Directorate is currently considering various sample cache and return missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids. These missions involve the use of a coring tool to produce rock and soil cores. The MEPAG committee recommends that core acquisition take place directly into an individual encapsulation sleeve with a pressed-in cap. The improved sample encapsulation technology of this proposal can be activated while the drill bit is still in the drill hole, thus preserving sample integrity before the core is even extracted. It also insures the sample does not fall out during bit extraction. The sleeves can handle cores of rock, soil or regolith; and are translucent or transparent enabling inspection of the core after extraction. They preserve stratigraphy, volatiles, voids and gaps, and incomplete cores. A unique aspect of the sleeves instills the ability to preserve core integrity even in the vibration and shock environment of a sample return mission. This proposed Phase 1 effort involves a design trade study, analysis and a proof-of-concept test. At the end of Phase 1, the innovations will be at TRL 4. A proposed Phase 2 effort would involve integration into a core drill design, environmental testing, and shock and vibration testing to advance the technology to TRL 6.

Principal Investigator:

David Levitt
Principal Investigator
4152594929
dlevitt@cadtrak.com

Business Contact:

David Levitt
Business Official
4152594929
dlevitt@cadtrak.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Cadtrak Engineering, LLC
31 Santa Barbara Avenue San Anselmo, CA 94960-1653

EIN/Tax ID: 320289290
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No