Blockchain for Model Based System Engineering

Our proposed concept is to use Blockchain Technology (BCT) to enhance the Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) team collaboration. Blockchains are a highly tamper-resistant Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) in which all relevant transactions are immutably and identically recorded and stored in nodes of distributed networks to provide an authoritative Single Source of Truth (SST). Blockchains also support decentralized governance with nuanced privacy models. Smart Contracts (SC) are self-enforcing agreements realized by the automatic execution of agreed-upon computer code upon the endorsement of transactions between multiple parties. The benefits of our concept are SST, high security, improved trust, privacy preservation, transparency, accountability, traceability, and high cost effectiveness. The goal of our proposed concept is to provide the NASA MBSE teams with BCT tools to share models and implement collaborative processes in a secure, decentralized, and distributive environment.

BCT for MBSE provides data sharing and executing process in a secure decentralized and distributive environment. Each organization has its intellectual property. Sharing data while protecting the proprietary information using blockchain technology has numerous applications in NASA programs which involves contractors from different companies.

Other Government agencies like DoD and DoE have programs that requires multiple contractors to collaborate and share data. Each party has intellectual property. Sharing data while protecting the proprietary information is crucial to the success of the program. This applies to every industry in the commercial sector.

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.