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Generative Design and Digital Manufacturing: A paradigm shift in development of instrument structures

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

The goal of this IRAD is to significantly reduce the mass and development time/cost for all GSFC projects which have mechanical structures by leveraging recent advances in information technology which enable automation of design, analysis, and fabrication tasks. Generative Design combined with Digital Manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize structural development workflows, leading to massively reduced development time, lighter instruments, and lower costs. This IRAD will advance and adapt Generative Design and Digital Manufacturing technologies for GSFC applications by developing and infusing a broadly applicable process for rapid flight structure development.

Benefits

Generative Design combined with Digital Manufacturing has the potential to revolutionize structural development workflows, leading to massively reduced development time, lighter instruments, and lower costs. This IRAD will advance and adapt Generative Design and Digital Manufacturing technologies for GSFC applications by developing and infusing a broadly applicable process for rapid flight structure development.

Details

Technology areaMaterials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Mechanical Systems > Design and Analysis Tools and Methods
ProgramCenter Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organizationGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date2021-10-01
End date2022-09-30

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 6) — 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.