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Broad Area Cooling with Hybrid Additive Manufactured Pressure Vessel
Completed
TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
Description
Sierra Lobo, Inc. and our partner Big Metal Additive propose a unique hybrid additive approach to manufacturing cryogenic liquid storage tanks with broad area cooling channels integrated directly into the walls of the tanks. This manufacturing approach has the potential to yield a smooth exterior surface over which a composite overwrap may be applied, minimizing system weight and maximizing efficient use of tank volume while maintaining structural strength. The use of automated, computer-controlled machining also has the potential to minimize costs of manufacturing broad area cooled storage vessels, maximizing reproducibility while minimizing manual labor hours required to manufacture such tanks, and is easily scalable to larger tank sizes.
Benefits
On-orbit propellant storage for Lunar Gateway ISRU for lunar lander and ascent modules ISRU for Mars missions ISRU for small body / asteroid missions General-use propellant depots for Earth orbit, Earth-Moon operations, interplanetary operations
Cryogenic fuel/oxidizer storage for UUV power systems
Details
| Technology area | Propulsion Systems > Chemical Space Propulsion > Integrated Systems and Ancillary Technologies |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Sierra Lobo, Inc., Fremont, OH |
| Start date | 2020-08-31 |
| End date | 2021-03-01 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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.