Award Data

In this phase II SBIR we will design, build, test, and deliver extremely low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) non-mechanical, electro-optic (EO) laser beamsteerers that are optimized for space based laser communications (lasercom). These new beamsteerers, which will finally satisfy the decades long dream of providing a viable alternative to opto-mechanics, will controllably steer high power (>10 Wat ...

Our present understanding of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling is limited, partly due to the lack of broad statistical observations of the 3-dimensional (3D) electric field in the altitude region between 300 and 1000km. This understanding is of national importance because it is a necessary step toward developing the ability to measure and forecast the "space weather" that affects modern technolog ...

Vescent Photonics proposes to bring an environmentally robust, compact, high fidelity frequency comb to the commercial market. This will be comb based on a NIST design, augmented with a high bandwidth graphene modulator. Vescent will partner with MRADS, a CU spin-off commercializing high bandwidth graphene modulators for mode-locked lasers. These modulators will both improve performance of the NIS ...

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is involved in an ongoing effort to design and demonstrate a full-scale (30-32m diameter) Starshade engineering demonstrator that meets the aggressive deployment dimensional repeatability and stability requirements for exoplanet detection. A key component of the Starshade structural system is a series of dimensionally stable composite cables (or spokes) that connec ...

The Nitrous Ethane-Ethylene Rocket with Hypergolic Ignition (NEERHI) engine is a proposed technology designed to provide small spacecraft with non-toxic, non-cryogenic, high performance, hypergolic propulsion. When passed over a warm catalyst bed, gaseous nitrous oxide and an ethylene-ethane gaseous blend combust instantly. A small 1 N thruster can be designed to provide small satellite propulsion ...

Radiation tolerant, extreme temperature capable electronics are needed for a variety of planned NASA missions. For example, in-situ exploration of Venus and long duration Europa-Jupiter missions will expose electronics to temperatures up to 500 ?C and radiation of 3 Mrad (Si) total dose. During this program, United Silicon Carbide will extend the capability of its SiC JFET integrated circuit (IC) ...

As electronics continue to shrink, the capabilities of CubeSats continue to expand. This offers the possibility of entirely new mission classes for space exploration. However, CubeSats small surface area limits their power availability. Typical CubeSat arrays are

According to NASA, it costs $10,000 to move a pound of material from earth into orbit, and 10 to 40 times more to movie to the Moon and Mars. Instead of paying to move each spare part, structure support, radiation shield and utensil (along with a wide range of other products) from Earth to Mars extraterrestrial in-situ resources (sunlight, CO2 and H2O) can be converted into polyethylene. A wide ...

The Extraterrestrial Metals Processing (EMP) system produces ferrosilicon, silicon monoxide, a glassy mixed oxide slag, and smaller amounts of alkali earth compounds, phosphorus, sulfur, and halogens from Mars, Moon, and asteroid regolith by carbothermal reduction. These materials, in some cases after further processing with other in-situ resources, are used for production of high-purity iron and ...

Rapid, accurate measurement and process control of silver ion biocide concentrations in future space missions is needed. The purpose of the Phase I program is to develop an electroanalytical device for analysis and process control of biocidal silver in potable water, with the option integrating an Ag+ ion generator. The device will automatically provide continuous and on-demand maintenance of Ag ...