Triple3 Redundant Spacecraft Subsystems (T3RSS), Phase I

Redefine Technologies, along with researchers at the University of Colorado, will use three redundancy methods to decrease the susceptibility of a spacecraft, on a mission survivability level, to electronic failures anywhere throughout the spacecraft. By using Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) chips, we will analyze the spacecraft-wide benefits of: *triplicating the logic and RAM on-board each subsystem using a Xilinx proprietary Triple Modular Redundancy (TMR) tool; *triplicating the persistent memory storage (i.e. ROM, science data, and flight code) on-board each subsystem using various methods specific for the space environment; and, *triplicating the backup architecture itself, while reducing weight and volume requirements, so subsystem code can run on alternate processors if any component is rendered inoperable due to an electronic failure (radiation, manufacturing, human-error, etc). These three methods of triplication should significantly increase the reliability of non-radiation hardened designs, which should allow commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processing components to be used as flight critical hardware. The analysis that is performed will predict the total benefit of this approach to any future spacecraft.

Potential NASA Commercial Applications: Redefine Technologies will closely investigate the patentability of all claims related to this research. The code distribution methods under consideration are marketable, either as an off-the-shelf product that can be sold to spacecraft system manufacturers or as services provided by Redefine Technologies in its normal consulting business. As mentioned earlier, the Spacecraft Benchmark Software Code (SBSC) will be made available on the Redefine Technologies' website for all to use and compare designs against. This standalone product of the Phase I research will follow the same business philosophy as personal computer benchmark tests or products under the GNU Public License. This code set will be improved upon over time and used industry-wide as a standardized test platform. It will solidify the redundancy technology proposed here, create healthy competition that will result in better and better products, and it will further standardize spacecraft design.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.