An artist's rendition of the 2007 Phoenix Mars
probe during landing depicts dust particles stirred up from thrusters. CFD
Research Corporation, in conjunction with the University of Florida, received a
NASA 2012 STTR Phase II award to further develop a debris simulation tool that
will predict the flow of granular materials in spacecraft landings similar.
Debris attains high velocities and can damage both the vehicle and landing site.
The simulation tool will be useful in helping design landing engine
architectures that would minimize this effect in future missions.
Image Credit:
NASA/JPL/Corby Waste
NASA has selected 23 proposals from small business and research institution
teams to continue the development of innovative technologies that will support
future agency mission needs and may also prove viable as commercial products and
services.
The Phase II selectees in NASA's Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)
Program are permitted to enter negotiations for possible contract awards, worth
a combined total of approximately $17.2 million.
Technologies selected for further development under STTR Phase II will
demonstrate the feasibility of new propellants for in-space propulsion, increase
capabilities to perform autonomous navigations, and advance new methods for the
manufacturing of advanced materials. High-tech firms in 13 states also have
submitted selected proposals in partnership with research institutions spread
out among 15 states.
"As teams in our Small Business Technology Transfer Program move into this
second phase of development, we'll see innovative concepts mature into
technologies that can enhance our exploration plans on journeys to asteroids and
Mars, while benefitting our technology based economy here on Earth," said
Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate administrator for space technology in
Washington. "Through modest investments in technology development among American
small business and research institution teams, we're developing the new
knowledge and capabilities needed to keep NASA leading the way forward in space
exploration, while also keeping America in the lead in high-tech business
enterprises."
The STTR Program uses a highly competitive, three-phase award system that
provides collaborative opportunities between qualified small businesses,
including women-owned and disadvantaged firms, and research institutions to
address specific technology gaps in NASA's programs. Selected projects provide a
foundation for future technology developments and are complementary to other
NASA research investments.
Firms and research institutions that participated in Phase I of the STTR
program submitted 32 Phase II proposals. Selection criteria included technical
merit and innovation, Phase I results, value to NASA, commercial potential and
company capabilities.
Under Phase I teams performed feasibility studies to evaluate the scientific
and technical merit of an idea. Phase II will expand on the results of the Phase
I work, with as much as $750,000 to support research for as long as two
additional years. Those that successfully complete Phase II may be eligible for
Phase III work that focuses on commercialization and requires private sector or
non-STTR federal funding.
NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California, manages the STTR
Program with executive oversight by the Space Technology Mission Directorate in
Washington. NASA's field installations manage individual projects.
For a complete list of selected companies and their proposal titles,
visit:
NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate is innovating, developing,
testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. Over the next 18
months, the directorate will make significant new investments to address several
high-priority challenges in achieving safe and affordable deep-space
exploration. These focused technology thrust areas are tightly aligned with
NASA's Space Technology Roadmaps, the Space Technology Investment Plan, and
National Research Council recommendations.
For more information about NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate
activities, programs and projects, visit:
NASA
Guillermo Gonzalo Sánchez Achutegui
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario