Award Data

The goal of this proposed research is to advance the development of biological in situ resource utilization for NASA's space exploration programs. We plan to build a foundation to use synthetic biology to engineer microorganisms to extract metals from naturally occurring extraterrestrial regolith.We propose to create a novel growth medium designed to mimic the lunar regolith ice discovered a ...

For supporting NASA's Robotics, Tele-Robotics and Autonomous Systems Roadmap, we are proposing the "Evolutionary Autonomous Health Monitoring System" (EAHMS) for planetary exploration, which will provide an integral flexible diagnostics and prognostics framework by advanced and novel methods for determining the operational condition in on-board sensors (odometry), actuators, and power systems ...

The objective of the proposed research and development effort is to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative approach to high-performance hybrid propulsion for upper-stages. The missions for these propulsion systems include launching small- and nano-satellites and conducting hypersonic flight test operations. The focus of the research effort will be on achieving high specific impulse by mean ...

Deployable Space Systems, Inc. (DSS), in collaboration with the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), Department of Mechanical Engineering, will focus the proposed NASA STTR Phase 1 program on the materials optimization, structures optimization, and manufacturing process optimization/development for the Mega-ROSA/ROSA solar array. The ROSA technology (termed for: Roll-Out Solar Array) is ...

We propose to develop a high-efficiency, triple-junction, epitaxial lift-off (ELO) solar cell by incorporating quantum dots (QDs) within the current-limiting subcell. We intend to leverage existing QD epitaxy processes developed by the Rochester Institute of Technology and combine this with MicroLink's expertise in multi-junction cell growth and ELO technology. We will employ QDs to enhance ...

Small satellites require much lighter weight, smaller, and long life Attitude control components that can withstand stressing launch conditions and space vibration environments without compromising their performance. In particular, rate sensors that can provide high-resolution Line of Sight (LOS) stabilization, accurate inertial pointing and higher bandwidths are needed to support attitude and pos ...

Infrared spectroscopy is an invaluable detection and measurement tool intensively used in Earth Science, Solar Physics and Astrophysics experiments pursued from satellite platforms. The geometrical characteristics and sensitivity of satellite infrared spectroscopy systems is often determined or limited by their optical elements. Improvements in optical components allow one to reduce the mass and i ...

HJ Science & Technology, Inc. and the University of Texas at San Antonio propose a joint venture to demonstrate the feasibility of a mobile "lab-on-a-robot" platform capable of in-situ, high throughput, and simultaneous identification and characterization of universal classes of ions, molecules, and biomolecules for NASA planetary and small body surface chemistry studies. The innovation of the pro ...

It is critically important that a physics based ADR SAAT prototype be developed that can be refined and used across the community to study and analyze various remote (non-contact) orbital debris stabilization concepts and architectures prior to investing significant commercial or public funding into technology development, technology and system level demonstrations, and development and deployment ...

Intelligent Fiber Optic Systems Corporation (IFOS) proposes to prove the feasibility of innovations in acousto-optic sensor development for measurement of launch acoustics on space vehicle and ground structures. The proposed sensor platform provides an ultra-light-weight, ultra-high-speed, multi-channel, optical fiber sensor array system for acoustics measurements. The project goals are to design ...