The Terminator Tether™

A Lightweight System for End-of-Life Deorbit of Low-Earth-Orbit Spacecraft Working with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreement, Tethers Unlimited, Inc., is currently developing a system called the "Terminator Tether™" (fig. 1) that will provide a low-cost, lightweight, and reliable method of removing objects from low-Earth orbit (LEO).

Sounding Rocket Validation Of Low-Cost Launch Technology

Under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreement with Marshall Space Flight Center, Microcosm, Inc., of Torrance, California, is developing small suborbital rockets (SR-S) to be marketed as Scorpius™. The prototype is complete, and both the vehicle and its launcher have been constructed. The first test flight was successfully launched in January of this year.

Electrochemical Supercapacitors For Electromechanical Actuators

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Griner, Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts, is developing a highly efficient, long-life, all-solid ionomer electrochemical capacitor stack capable of supplying high-current impulses. While still in the prototype development stage, a 50V, 2kJ capacitor has already been fabricated and tested.

Advanced Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) Systems Technology

In conducting research for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Qualis Corporation has defined the techniques and model hardware innovations for a new class of short-duration base-heating tests that are an order of magnitude cheaper to develop and operate than previous tests of this type.

Innovative Plasma Nozzle Techniques For Eliminating Overspray

A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) endeavor by Plasma Processes, Inc., has led to the development of bell-contoured plasma nozzles that produce better coatings and higher process efficiencies. These vacuum plasma spray (VPS) nozzle configurations reduce overspray as they optimize material deposition quality of vacuum and air plasma spray coatings and structures. Overspray reductions of copper and copper alloys are cut in half, while reductions in tungsten overspray produce denser, less porous coatings than previously possible.

Trace Atmospheric Carbon Monoxide Sensor

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with Marshall Space Flight Center (MFSC), Spectral Sciences, Inc., of Burlington, Massachusetts, has produced trace atmospheric carbon monoxide sensors based on a novel infrared light source. The research provides the means for long-term monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO) trace concentrations in inhabited environments, with particular application to the U.S. Space Station. Spectral Sciences currently holds an outstanding purchase order from ABB Process Analytics to deliver a version of the light source for their evaluation.

Thin-Film Fresnal Solar-Energy Reflector

A Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) contract between Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and United Applied Technologies has resulted in a thin-film Fresnal solar-energy reflector. An ultra-lightweight, thin-polymide-film deployable structure is integrated with ultraviolet radiation and atomic-oxygen-resistant thin-film-polymide Fresnal lenses and reflectors for use in solar thermal propulsion; large, next-generation space telescopes; and space solar power systems.

Unique Metal Monolith Catalytic Converter For Small, Efficient Trace Contaminant Control System

For work being performed in a Small Business Research Innovation (SBIR), Precision Combustion, Inc., is employing a small amount of electrical heating of a novel, ultra-lightweight metal catalyst substrate to achieve over 99-percent destruction of difficult-to-remove trace organic contaminants at low air inlet temperatures. For NASA, research is focused on air-filtration space-flight life-support applications.

Catalytic Methods Using Molecular Oxygen Treatment Of PMMS And ECLSS Waste Streams

A Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) contract between Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and Umpqua Research Company in Myrtle Creek, Oregon, has resulted in a very effective catalytic oxidation system (COS). Energy-efficient operation offers excellent heat recovery, with contaminant destruction depending primarily on operation temperature and catalyst contact time. The COS destroys most waterborne organic compounds, in that soluble alcohols, ketones, amides, aromatics, and halocarbons levels have been oxidized using dissolved elemental oxygen to form carbon dioxide, water, and constituent inorganic species. At the same time, the system has the capability to eliminate such inorganic contaminants as nitrite, nitrate, and perchlorate.

Application Of Refrigerant Mixtures For Space Thermal Management

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Foster-Miller, Inc., of Waltham, Massachusetts, has identified ways to utilize waste heat and to reduce thermal management system weight for manned space-flight applications.

Light-Driven Waste Remediation System Utilizing Phototrophic Bacteria

A Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort with Micro-Bac International, Inc., has resulted in a new system for the treatment of wastewater based upon the metabolic activity of phototrophic bacteria. This system requires no aeration, uses sunlight as an energy source, and does not generate carbon monoxide. It offers significant advantages over conventional waste-treatment systems in terms of flexibility, safety, and performance. In geographical areas with adequate amounts of sunlight, the system is considerably more cost-effective than traditional activated sludge aerobic systems.

Relative Attitude And Position Estimation Program

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agreement with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Integrated Systems, Inc. (ISI), has developed a unique Kalman filter that enhances the ability to perform the proximity sensing phase of the Automated Rendezvous and Capture (AR&C) mission. This technology enables a robot supply vehicle to automatically dock with and service Earth-orbiting satellites or the International Space Station.

Immersive Control Of Human Interaction With Multi-Variate Data

In a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) effort with Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), DRaW Computing Associates, Inc., has developed virtual reality packages for supporting immersive, reactive worlds in a human simulation. Research is producing a range of commercial VRML products on several platforms. These include OpenWorlds™, Human OpenWorlds™, OpenWorlds Horizon™, and OpenWorlds Merchant™. Targeted for existing and new 3D graphics applications and human simulation environments, the products hold various competitive strengths. Human OpenWorlds, for example, presents the unique ability to create interactive worlds with realistic, accurate human figures. OpenWorlds, as another example, brings VRML and 3D graphics and simulation capabilities into any software system, i.e., CAD packages, games, training packages, etc. The technology delivers open rendering and is supported by Sun, SGI, and Windows.