Award Data

Automation improvements are needed to reduce the dependency on human reflexes and unreliable data links. Modern autopilots are capable of detecting loss-of-GPS and loss-of-communications. There is no mechanism for the aircraft to autonomously return to a safe landing zone under these conditions. Furthermore, experience has shown that existing controllers are not good at detecting bad position data ...

This program will develop an ultra-high performance infrared detector manufacturing technology with improved performance and cost effectiveness, and reduced cooling requirements when compared to the best commercially available HgCdTe and InGaAs detectors. This will be accomplished using a two-pronged approach addressing both device design and materials. First, the conventional pn photodiode device ...

The innovative methodologies proposed in this STTR Phase 2 project will enhance Loci-STREAM which is a high performance, high fidelity simulation tool already being used at NASA/MSFC for a variety of CFD applications. This project will address critical needs in order to enable fast and accurate simulations of liquid space propulsion systems of relevance to NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) program ...

Mesa Photonics proposes to develop an Airborne Multi-Gas Sensor (AMUGS) based upon two-tone, frequency modulation spectroscopy (TT-FMS). Mesa Photonics has developed a fiber-coupled implementation of TT-FMS that leverages telecommunications lasers as sources and WiFi electronics for signal processing. With this approach, sensitive trace gas detection in a robust, compact and low-power package has ...

A submersible, superconducting electric boost pump sized to meet the needs of future Nuclear Thermal Propulsion systems in the 25,000 lbf thrust range is proposed. The proposed solution combines active electronic speed control technology with state-of-the-art cavitation suppression techniques to meet the near-zero Net Positive Suction Head requirements with up to 50% vapor content and enables a h ...

Southwest Sciences proposes to develop small, lightweight, low power instrumentation for the in situ balloon-borne measurement of several trace gases of importance in the atmosphere of Venus. Using low power vertical cavity diode lasers (VCSELs) at carefully selected wavelengths in the 2400 nm region, the instrument will be capable of simultaneous measurements of carbon monoxide, water vapor, hyd ...

The state-of-the-art Li-ion battery technology is based on processing of lithium transition metal oxides, and graphite powder, and use of liquid organic electrolytes. It has shown limited room for further performance improvements in terms of energy density, cycle and calendar life, abuse tolerance and cost. This has heavily hindered the advancements of NASA's future space missions that need rechar ...

The Interdisciplinary Consulting Corporation proposes a technological advancement of current state-of-the-art acoustic energy harvester for harsh environment applications. Due to the advancement of propulsion systems and increasing power requirements, the development of a renewable energy source is ideal to overcome the related issues seen in systems powered by batteries (limited lifespan, rechar ...

A compact, lightweight, and low power diode laser sensor will be developed for atmospheric methane detection on small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The physical specifications of this sensor will be considerably smaller than current NASA laser sensors. The smaller sensor specifications will enable use of carrier UAVs that are similiar in size to a large model aircraft. Using smaller UAVs for me ...

Over the past decade, the importance of understanding the sources and sinks of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases has been recognized. A variety of research studies funded by NASA, DOE and NOAA to measure the fluxes of CO2 from average conditions have been performed. In particular, flux measurements of CO2 in the boundary layer are critical toward understanding the carbon budget for this im ...