Large Vehicle Landing Surface Interaction (Lpad-ACO)

SpaceX partnered with KSC to advance their technology to vertically land large rockets on the Moon. This included advancing models to assess engine plume interaction with lunar regolith. In conclusion, this test program established that there are materials which showed promise for Large Landing Pad construction under terrestrial rocket engine plume impingement testing, which created a relevant environment. Further Large Landing Pad work is necessary for all the materials, but potential feasibility of these materials for Large Landing Pad construction was established. Overall, this collaboration with SpaceX advanced the understanding of Starship lunar landing requirements and advanced the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of the tested materials from a TRL 4 to a TRL 5.

This development effort advances lunar landing technology in multiple ways. For the technology to progress and enable Starship landings on the Moon and Mars, a greater understanding is needed of the interaction between the landing plume and the surface, and conversely understanding what surface properties are conducive to safe propulsive landing. Modeling engine plume interaction for Starship with lunar regolith is a first step in understanding the landing mechanics for this scale of vehicle. Understanding the landing plume-surface interaction at this stage is especially critical as it can inform ongoing Starship landing design. Finally, testing small-scale landing pad construction materials will allow concept exploration and testing of how to mitigate landing risks and determine the highest value path to incorporate this mitigation strategy into the Starship landing strategy.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.