NASA Selects Propulsion SBIRs & STTRs

As I was looking through NASA’s recent small business selection announcement for propulsion-related projects, I have found that the space agency has selected 29 Small Business Innovation Research and 8 Small Business Technology Transfer proposals for funding.

The proposals cover a wide range of areas, including in-space propulsion for CubeSats to technologies for new launch vehicles. Several proposals are also focused on in-space propellant depots.

A list of the selected projects with links to the proposals follows.

Space Transportation & Propulsion SBIRs

Altius Space Machines, Inc.
Broomfield, CO
Lightweight, High-Flow, Low Connection-Force, In-Space Cryogenic Propellant Coupling

Altius Space Machines, Inc.
Broomfield, CO
Solar Cube 2U: A Heliogyro Propulsion System for CubeSats

Arctic Slope Technical Services, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
Multipulse Solid Rocket Motors for MAV

Arctic Slope Technical Services, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
Additively Manufactured Monolithic Catalyst Bed for Green Propellants

Arctic Slope Technical Services, Inc.
Huntsville, AL
Additively Manufactured Low Power Thrusters for Secondary Payloads

Arizona Systems Engineering Group, LLC.
Tucson, AZ
Elimination of Rocket Ignition Side Loads

CFD Research Corporation
Huntsville, AL
Propellant Gelation for Green In-Space Propulsion

Converter Source, LLC
Athens, OH
Innovative Stirling-Cycle Cryocooler for Long Term In-Space Storage of Cryogenic Liquid Propellants

Creare, LLC
Hanover, NH
A High Efficiency Cryocooler for In-Space Cryogenic Propellant Storage

CU Aerospace, LLC
Champaign, IL
Microcapillary Recuperative Heat Exchanger (MRHX)

CU Aerospace, LLC
Champaign, IL
Monofilament Vaporization Propulsion (MVP) System

Flight Works, Inc.
Irvine, CA
Pump-Fed, Compact, High Performance Green Propulsion System for Secondary Payloads

Flight Works, Inc.
Irvine, CA
Low Cost, Pump-fed, Non-Catalytic Thruster for Secondary Payload Green Propulsion

Global Technology Enterprises, Inc.
Bozeman, MT
Diamond_Copper Materials Based Solution for Improved Engine Performance

Innovative Imaging and Research Corporation
Stennis Space Center, MS
Color-XHDR – A Compact High-Speed Color Extreme High Dynamic Range Video Capability for Rocket Engine Testing

IRPI, LLC
Wilsonville, OR
Bubble Free Cryogenic Liquid Acquisition Device

Masten Space Systems, Inc.
Mojave, CA
Additive Manufacturing Technology for a 25,000 lbf LOX/Methane Mars Ascent Engine

MetroLaser, Inc.
22941 Mill Creek Drive
Laguna Hills, CA 92653 – 1215
Plume Velocimetry Diagnostic for Large Rocket Engines

Parabilis Space Technologies, Inc.
San Marcos, CA
Novel Hybrid Propulsion System for Sample Return Missions

Paragon Space Development Corporation
Tucson, AZ
Thermally Insulative Structural Connection for Cryogenic Propellant Tanks

Plasma Processes, LLC
Huntsville, AL
Joining of Tungsten Cermet Nuclear Fuel

Plasma Processes, LLC
Huntsville, AL
Green Monopropellant Propulsion for Small Spacecrafts

Reactive Innovations, LLC
Westford, MA
Electrolytic Method for Tungsten Coating of Uranium Oxide Spheres

Sienna Technologies, Inc.
Woodinville, WA
Long Life Cathode Heaters for Hollow Cathodes

Space Propulsion Group, Inc.
San Mateo, CA
Ignition Systems for Long-Term Storage and Multi-Start Capability

Tetra Research Corporation
Princeton, IL
Robust Cryogenic Cavitation Modeling for Propulsion Systems Ground Test Facilities

TGV Rockets, Inc.
Washington, DC
Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing for High Performance Combustion Chambers

Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation
Los Alamos, NM
Accident Tolerant Reactor Shutdown for NTP Systems

Ventions, LLC
San Francisco, CA
Electric Pump Fed Propulsion for a Liquid Bipropellant Mars Ascent Vehicle

Launch & Propulsion Systems STTRs

CFD Research Corporation
Huntsville, AL
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
Unified In-Space Propulsion Framework for Prediction of Plume-Induced Spacecraft Environments

CFD Research Corporation
Huntsville, AL
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
Prediction of Strutural Response and Fluid-Induced Vibration in Turbomachinery

Garvey Spacecraft Corporation
Long Beach, CA
The University of Alabama in Huntsville PRC/OSP
Huntsville, AL
Torch-Augmented Spark Igniter for Nanosat Launch Vehicle LOX/Propylene Rocket Engine

Keystone Synergistic Enterprises, Inc.
Port Saint Lucie, FL
University of Alabama at Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
Bi-Metallic Additive Manufacturing Close-Out of Coolant Channels for Large Liquid Rocket Engine (LRE) Nozzles

Nanosonic, Inc.
Pembroke, VA
Virginia Tech-Mechanical Engineering Department
Blacksburg, VA
Wireless Networked Sensors for Remote Monitoring in Propulsion Systems

Physical Sciences, Inc.
Andover, MA
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
Low-Cost, Scalable, Hybrid Launch Propulsion Technology

Tetra Research Corporation
Princeton, IL
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
Efficient High Fidelity Computational Tool for Acoustically Driven Multiphysics Propulsion Modeling

TGV Rockets, Inc.
Washington, DC
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN
Low Cost Upper Stage for Affordable Nano/Micro Launch