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Canceled TRL 7 (started at 6, targeting 7)
The In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) Recycling and Reuse project is responsible for developing and demonstrating recycling and in-situ resource manufacturing technologies for NASA Exploration Missions both (in-transit and on-surface). This includes testing & advancing the desired technologies, as well as establishing the required skills & processes for the processes (such as certification and characterization) that will enable the technologies to become institutionalized.
The In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) Recycling and Reuse project will help reduce logistics demands associated with the current on-orbit supply model. Successfull development of recycling technologies coupled with on demand manufacturing cappabilities being developed by another element of the In-Space Manufacturing portfolio, ODMM, will allow the transformation of traditional waste streams such as packaging materials, into usable components. This will directly lower costs and increase overal system reliability while decreasing the number of spare parts needed to successfully execute deep space missions. Furthermore, the recycling and in situ resource utilization technologies developed by this program will reduce the mass of origional feedstock nessessary for on orbit manufacturing capabilities. Customers for ISM-R&R include NASA deep space missions (Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate) specifically the Advanced Exploration Systems Division, the Space Technology Mission Directorate's Game Changing Development Program, and the ISS Program.
Specific savings associated with recycling and reuse are:
1. Reducing the up-mass and volume of spares and manufacturing feedstocks (i.e. At current launch costs every 100 lbs. of mass reduced would save $1M)
2. Reduce the logistics demands associated with storing and downmassing packaging materials
3. Increase the habitable volume by repurposing materials only needed for launch activities or storage of consumables.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.