Award Data

ProtoInnovations, LLC and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology propose to continue the maturation and validation of combined slip estimation and traction control software algorithms, called the Mobility Optimizer, for improved robotic or manned rover wheeled locomotion on The Moon. The Mobility Optimizer provides a dramatic improvement to current slip estimation and traction control strategie ...

To support NASArsquo;s future Europa Subsurface Exploration missions, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. (ACT) proposes a thermal probe that can penetrate the thick and cryogenic ice layer on Europa in an efficient and reliable manner. This nuclear-powered thermal probe consists of multiple novel thermal features that are meant to minimize time of penetration and mitigate a series of challenges s ...

In response to the 2019 NASA SBIR solicitation topic Z2.01, ldquo;Spacecraft Thermal Managementrdquo;, Advanced Cooling Technologies, Inc. proposed the development of a Variable Conductance Cold Plate to provide spatial and temporal isothermality over a 0.5 m2 area despite changes in heat load or inlet coolant temperature.nbsp; The proposed design builds on ACTrsquo;s experience with passive two-p ...

The portable life support system for the exploration space suit (xPLSS) must control CO2 and humidity levels inside the space suit pressure garment. The preferred approach is to use a pressure swing adsorption process based on amine swingbed technology. One of the key technical challenges for xPLSS operation on the Martian surface is the need to vent CO2 and water vapor from the swingbeds to an am ...

Long-term monitoring of Titanrsquo;s atmosphere and planetary surface requires a robust autonomous vehicle capable of interacting with Titanrsquo;s surface and profiling its chemically dynamic atmosphere. Creare proposes the Titan Ringlet, a drone capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) that can transition to horizontal flight to extend the range beyond that of a multirotor vehicle. VTOL ca ...

Astrobotic proposes the development and prototyping of UltraNav, a low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) visual relative navigation system capable of implementing modern vision-based navigation and modeling methods including Terrain Relative Navigation (TRN), Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), Visual-Inertial Odometry (VIO), and Structure-from-Motion (SfM). The UltraNav system comp ...

In the pursuit of supplying the highest quality 3D woven material, for Woven Thermal Protection Systems (W-TPS), Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) is proposing a diagnostic tool to measure and monitor the motions of anbsp;3D weaving loom. Current weaving techniques rely on the loom operator to see or hear variations in the weaving process and detect problems early so defective material is kept to a minimum ...

Near Earth Autonomy proposes to extend the NASA SBIR Phase Inbsp;to develop the key technologies that enable urban air mobility (UAM) and its applications: delivery of goods, personal transportation, emergency/disaster response, etc. This work will contribute to advance NASArsquo;s Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) program, which focuses on ldquo;enabling emerging aviation markets that will provide subs ...

The overall objective of the Phase II program is to develop a domestically-available needled (2.5D) C-C composite and demonstrate its use as a nozzle extension for future lunar lander and upper-stage propulsion applications. This will be accomplished through a design and analysis trade study, coupled with the fabrication of a representative nozzle structure. In the past decade, a number of NASA re ...

High voltage power supplies find many uses in NASA scientific missions.nbsp; Numerous missions in the past has had uses for high voltage supplies such as the HST High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS), plasma experiment power supplies, particle detection (HAPI LAPI, DE, International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE), etc.) and aboard Cassini.nbsp; The evolution of high voltage power supplies has proceeded ov ...