Award Data

Polymer matrix composites are increasingly replacing traditional metallic materials in NASA launch vehicles due to high strength to weight ratio, manipulative properties, and corrosion resistance. However, the inspection and repair methods for these materials are considerably more complicated. For aerospace platform repairs, a composite laminate patch must be manually fabricated on-site and then ...

NASA has supported several instrument development efforts for exploration of Mars other extraterrestrial bodies.This exemplifies the importance of new instrument development efforts for successful advancement of NASA missions.With this in mind Laser&Plasma Technologies successfully demonstrated feasibility of integrating LIBS&Raman instruments into Optical Based Hybrid Spectroscope that meets NASA ...

This proposed SBIR is to develop new ultra-low SWaP-c technology that can transform Fibertek's compact laser terminal (CLCT) for low earth orbits into a Distributed Spacecraft Missions (DSM) terminal capable of laser communications and ranging to support small satellite intersatellite links (ISLs) as well as deep space downlinks to Earth or relay satellites. The technologies developed address ...

Propulsion systems require rigorous and highly instrumented testing to enable a comprehensive analysis of performance and to minimize risks associated with space flight. Current testing instrumentation methods can be replaced with embedded sensor systems that are used for monitoring remote, hazardous, or inaccessible locations, while reducing cabling and power consumption. The additional informati ...

Use of thin ply composites offers good potential for significant mass savings for aerospace structures besides its improved resistance to micro-cracking, fatigue, and delamination. However, mass savings due to thin-ply technology depends on material and fabrication technology, vehicle configuration, structural design, loads etc. Structural integrity of components made from thin plies need to be c ...

UbiQD, Inc, is partnered with the University of Arizona, Controlled Environment Agriculture Center to enhance the lighting component of the Mars-Lunar Greenhouse prototype to improve the food production for the system. Ultimately, the goals is for UbiQD to install a down-conversion film composed of Quantum Dots (QDs) into the solar collecting/fiber optic system to not only provide higher quality P ...

This NASA Phase I STTR program would develop high performance, wireless networked cryogenic and minimum pressure sensors for remote monitoring in propulsion systems, using SOI (Silicon on Insulator) NM (nanomembrane) techniques in combination with our pioneering ceramic nanocomposite materials. We will improve the current mechanical and electrical model of semiconductor nanomembrane based sensor ...

In support of NASA's goals for efficient plant growth in Space, NanoSonic offers an inert polymeric binding system to make use of Mars surface regolith as a safe, structural, growth media for passive hydroponically grown plants. Importantly, the proposed multi-functional binding agent will be combined with regolith to: 1) form a porous support structure with an optimal air-to-water ratio for ...

We seek to reduce potential next-day weather impacts on the National Airspace System (NAS) through better delay prediction and better efficacy of Traffic Management Initiatives (TMIs) mitigating airspace congestion. Our innovative approach is to combine the retrospective method (use historical TMIs and delays on similar days for next-day prediction) with the predictive method (use fast-time simula ...

Radio frequency (RF) communications provide navigation and communication capabilities that are essential to safe operation of the current and future airspace systems. Loss of C2 and navigation links is a significant hazard even for current generation systems, and future systems that will operate with a high level of automation and autonomy, often without a highly-skilled operator onboard, will b ...