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The end goal of the PPU Project is to develop, demonstrate and deliver a new technology enabled, high temperature operational, modular and power-scalable 10-80kW PPU that significantly reduce the mass and volume of power system that significantly advances current capability and performance over existing PPU technologies and reduces the mass and volume of power system. This Project supports two overarching NASA strategies, i.e., “investing in next-generation technologies and approaches to spur innovation” and “expanding partnerships with international, intergovernmental, academic, industrial, and entrepreneurial communities and recognizing their role as important contributors of skill and creativity to our missions and for the propagation of our results”, as defined by NPD 1001.0, NASA Strategic Plan.
The development of new advanced propulsion systems can have a wide ranging impact on advancing the Agency’s vision and mission. The advanced propulsion technologies directly support the expansion of the potential to utilize the International Space Station by new systems to supply the ISS and possibly technologies for a system to support ISS reboost. Advanced propulsion can play a valuable role in expanding both NASA and commercial access and utilization of low Earth orbit and efficiently power spacecraft to the far ends of the universe, expanding the possibilities of the NASA mission trade space. Advanced propulsion can also play a valuable role in expanding both NASA and commercial to space and provide new mission capabilities.
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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.