Award Data

A critically important region of the electromagnetic spectrum is the hard X-ray/soft gamma-ray band from 10 KeV to a few MeVs. In this band, a wealth of astrophysical processes occur in an even greater diversity of astrophysical objects and phenomena, both on a compact and diffuse scale. Surprisingly, for such a pivotal region of the spectrum, the high energy sky is still quite unexplored in that ...

Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is the room temperature x-ray detector of choice for non-destructive imaging applications. Monolithic arrays with high count rate capability (> 1 x 106 counts/pixel) are required for ultra-fast hyperspectral x-ray imaging.Presently, the yield of CZT arrays which can perform hyperspectral imaging in milliseconds, is very low. Most monolithic arrays suffer from

NASA seeks new and innovative technologies for materials, processes, and manufacturing that will provide safe, reliable, lightweight, and less expensive launch vehicle and spacecraft components. This project focuses on improving the strength of the lightest weight material known to man, i.e., aerogels. Improvements in strength would allow these materials to be used on launch vehicles and in spacec ...

In contrast to conventional hydrophobic aerogels that are flammable, Aspen proposes to develop hydrophobic / non-flammable reinforced composite aerogel insulation for numerous applications where both humidity and high oxygen atmosphere are present. Recent preliminary tests at Aspen demonstrated that a halocarbon compound used as a doping ingredient during the silica aerogel preparation has great p ...

Barrett Technology, Inc. proposes to design and build a lightweight high-performance manipulator for micro-gravity muscle/bone strengthening and trauma rehabilitation with data quantification. The device will be used on board months-long interplanetary space-exploration missions. The enabling technology is based on the novel concept presented confidentially in this proposal. If Phase I demonstrate ...

We propose to develop a computationally efficient, potentially revolutionary method of modeling unsteady aeroelastic systems and controlling dynamic loads. Improving aerodynamic performance to meet the mission goals of next-generation civil/military aircraft and launch vehicles requires dramatically new methods of predicting and controlling nonlinear fluid-structure dynamics. The proposed innovati ...

In this project, a lightweight membrane mirror device will be integrated into an adaptive control system, capable of correcting static and dynamic primary-mirror shape errors in a space-based telescope. The core innovation will be the use of a multi-zone, deformable mirror fabricated by thin-film surface micromachining. Contour shape of the mirror membrane will be controlled by an array of electro ...

Microspacecraft, weighing 100 kg or less, with less than 100 W on-board are projected to become ubiquitous within the next decade. Fleets of such spacecraft are envisioned to fly in formation, requiring on-board propulsion that can initialize their orbit after a drop-off from shared launch vehicle, keep them in precise relative position and propel them out of formation upon fault detection, follow ...

Ambitious near Earth and interplanetary missions require long life, high efficiency, high Isp primary propulsion. To address this need, Busek proposes to develop a Hall thruster with increased performance, reduce mass, reduced complexity and lower cost over state-of-the-art ion propulsion systems. In Phase I, using an existing nominally 2 kW thruster we propose to evaluate several innovative metho ...

New nanocomposites based on thermally stable copolymer matrices are proposed for developing thin film balloon and ballute materials for aerocapture missions. Hybrid nanocomposites of synthetic layered clays and cardo poly(imide-siloxanes) are proposed to achieve ballute materials with temperature capability of over 400C, mass-areal density below 10 g/sm, and stability to sulfuric acid. High emissi ...