Award Data

Future MDA space missions will utilize small spacecraft with correspondingly small, advanced sensor systems. Cooling of these sensors is required to decrease detector noise and increase detector sensitivity by maintaining the detector at a reduced operating temperature. The cooling system comprises a mechanical cryocooler and its control electronics, both of which are critical technologies to enab ...

GTL has identified an innovative architecture for KV Divert and Attitude Control System (DACS). Instead of mounting a set of liquid propellant tanks around a central structural mast as done in conventional storable liquid DACS, the Compact Modular DACS uses an innovative configuration for propellant storage. The CMDACS architecture has increased volumetric efficiency that will increase the kinemat ...

Diode-Pumped Alkali Lasers (DPALs) have great potential for high-energy lasers. Proper design of these systems is challenging because many interrelated processes impact their performance, and critical kinetic rate coefficients are not well known. In response, our team is developing a comprehensive physics-based analysis/design tool, and experimentally determining key kinetic rate coefficients. The ...

International FemtoScience will develop and demonstrate a new technology to achieve an advanced accelerometer that enhances an Inertial Measurement Units high-g operability. This accelerometer provides smaller, lighter, more robust, less expensive devices, compatible with known production methodologies. To achieve the required performance a novel material, deposited diamond, (not silicon-based, to ...

Diode-Pumped Alkali Laser Systems (DPALS) require a uniform, steady, flowing mixture of helium and rubidium vapor at elevated pressure and temperature. Significant challenges exist because rubidium is a very reactive material. In response, our team is developing a contamination-free, all-metal, hermetic, circulation system based on gas-bearing turbomachines. Specific benefits include low mass, ...

Mentis and SDC are developing materials suitable for operating in extreme environments, such as those experienced by exit nozzles in Throttleable Divert and Attitude Control Systems (TDCAS), or as thermal protection in ballistic missiles and payload delivery systems. A material characterization effort is required to establish accurate material properties at storage and operational conditions. Ap ...

Mentis Sciences (Mentis) is providing Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) line to produce a Radome Assembly (RA). Mentis focus is to assure all elements of the production process approaches a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) 8. This effort requires developing processes and Design of Experiments (DOE) for controlling each element of production to assure quality and cost goals for meeting LRIP. ...

This STTR Phase I proposal proposes to design and develop reactive filter media using nanofiber technology to capture corrosion inducing particulate matter present in coastal region air. The fibrous filter media will be functionalized using ion exchange chemistry which is known to react with salt ions. The media will be characterized for its filtration performance, resistance to airflow, and dus ...

We propose to combine QmagiQ's strained layer superlattice (SLS) sensor technology with MIT Lincoln Laboratory's novel digital pixel readout integrated circuit (DROIC) to realize an advanced longwave infrared digital focal plane array (DFPA) with high quantum efficiency, dynamic range, and operating temperature. In Phase I, we developed the basic SLS DFPA and demonstrated its extraordina ...

Proper design of Diode-Pumped Alkali Laser Systems (DPALS) is challenging because many interrelated processes impact their performance and critical kinetic rate coefficients are not well known. In response, our team is developing a comprehensive physics-based analysis/design tool, and experimentally determining key kinetic rate coefficients. The resulting product will be a user-friendly, high-fi ...