Award Data

The proposed effort concerns technologies related to cryogenic propellant production, storage, transfer, and usage to support NASArsquo;s in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) goals. nbsp;They include a broad range of applications, scales, and environments consistent with future NASA missions to the Moon and Mars.nbsp;nbsp;More specifically, the project will addressnbsp;development of a piecewise-sm ...

Achieving trustworthy and trusted autonomy starts early in the development process through performing hazard analysis, fault analysis, identifying mitigating requirements, and carefully and rigorously tracing those requirements all the way into design, models, implementation, and tests. However, traceability can be time-consuming, costly, and error-prone. To address these challenges, significant a ...

This program will develop an innovative Augmented Reality Navigation (ARNAV) application to help guide astronauts through important tasks within and about space habitats that require navigation and guidance capabilities. Using advanced vision and inertial processing combined with novel Rapidly-exploring Random Tree* (RRT*) algorithms for path planning and Random Finite Set (RFS)-based localization ...

GTLrsquo;s breakthrough ultra-lightweight composite dewar-tank technology is game changing by providing hydrogen weight fractions in excess of 59% for small tanks, with over 70% achievable with medium scale LH2 tanks, including vacuum insulation. This capability addresses a critical need in the conversion of single-aisle aircraft from Jet-A to liquid hydrogen to eliminate carbon emissions. With GT ...

Ultrasonic Technology Solutions (UTS) is based in Knoxville, Tennessee, and formed as a spin-off start-up from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is proposing to develop an ultra-fastnbsp;ultrasonic washing and dryer combination for space applications.NASArsquo;s Life Support and Habitation Systems Focus Area seeks key capabilities and technology solutions that enable extended human presence in ...

This project will advance technology for the automated assembly of large truss towers.nbsp; Assembly of truss-based structures is one of the leading candidates for establishing some of the early lunar infrastructure.nbsp; Specifically, joining technologies and robotic tools are required to enable autonomous/automated assembly of tall towers as well as shelters, domes and habitats.nbsp; Automated a ...

This program will develop an innovative small spacecraft navigation system using X-ray energy band observations of celestial sources by measuring the photon flux change during the time of the horizon crossing due to occultation by a planetary body, referred to as Occultation X-ray Navigation (OXNAV). Previous work by ASTER Labs has demonstrated concept feasibility of X-ray navigation (XNAV) using ...

Materials Modeling Hub (MMH) software integrates modeling, product design, manufacturing, and usage cycle into a digital ecosystem to accelerate, simplify, and strengthen ideation through implementation. When combined with a viable materials information management strategy, modeling techniques can replicate and predict experimental outcomes and material performance with growing accuracy. In indust ...

A radiation-resistant and superhard material for dust-resistant mechanical bearing applications on the lunar surface will be tested and demonstrated under this project.nbsp; This highly incompressible ceramic material is able to be formed into intricate bearing geometries directly from powder to create dense, hard, geometrically precise, and wear-resistant bearing surfaces.nbsp; This new material ...

To explore and establish Urban Air Mobility (UAM) viability, researchers need to assess vertiport designs and the operational concepts that aim to maximize throughput of aircraft, passengers, and cargo while maintaining safety. Many of these future vertiports, especially those in urban areas, will have highly constrained airspace and limited area for surface operations. To understand how to create ...