Award Data

The primary goal of the proposed STARA innovation is to develop and demonstrate a high altitude precision guided parafoil system that will enable NASA to control the final landing point of the sounding rocket payload, thus reducing system offset, recovery time, and recovery cost. Current recovery methods utilize unguided parachutes, which are susceptible to large uncertainties in recovery location ...

The Cryogenic Encapsulating Launch Shroud and Insulated Upper Stage (CELSIUS) innovative layered system combines functions of Multi-Layer Insulation (MLI), Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) protection, and fairing functions (exposure to free stream) into a deterministic soft-goods system that provides far greater performance for far less mass than the equivalent State of the Art (SOTA) sys ...

Gas conduction and radiation are the two important heat transfer mechanisms in highly porous reusable thermal protection systems used for planetary entry of space vehicles. The relative magnitude of the two varies depending on altitude, temperature and the planet. Usually radiation is more significant at lower pressures and at higher temperatures. Gas conduction is more dominant at higher press ...

a. Paragon Space Development Corporation¿ (Paragon) proposes to continue our investigation into the use of microporous-ionomer membrane technology to improve the robustness and effectiveness and simplify water recovery processes for space applications. Improved robustness and effectiveness will be evident through (1) reduced loading onthe downstream post processor due to the ionomer¿s unique pr ...

Frequency-locked single-frequency 2 micron fiber laser is proposed to be used for airborne/spaceborne coherent lidar measurements, i.e., Active Sensing of CO2 Emissions over Nights, Days, and Seasons. The laser is based on our proprietary fiber technology and extensive experience in fiber laser development, which features a compact, highly stable, frequency-stabilized light source. Advanced freque ...

Various Earth Science fields require well-calibrated field radiometers whose calibrations must be tracked and verified in the field. NASA has long recognized requirement. However, these activities require specialized light sources that typically require high power, are bulky and difficult to use in the field, and do not work with all types of radiometers. We propose a next-generation portab ...

The completed Phase I work was directed at the application of nanotechnology to graphite/epoxy composites. A novel approach to the application of the nanotubes onto the carbon fiber surface was investigated. As a result, a very significant increase in compressive strength of 120% was attained, compared with 20% reported in the literature. The Phase II builds on the success of the Phase I. It w ...

Oxygen regenerated from a crew's expired CO2 and H2O vapor is essential to enabling a continuous human presence on the moon at significantly reduced costs and risks. Any such technology demonstrated on the moon will then be ready to support the transport of humans to Mars and their eventual surface exploration efforts. Paragon Space Development Corporation is proposing an innovative, efficient ...