UCDS Demonstration and Evaluation

The company developed a model and simulation tool to process high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics and stabilize propulsion system designs. Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories will partner with Marshall to further validate these tools and accelerate their use in space systems.

Flow instability often manifests as periodic behavior like acoustic resonance or hydrodynamic vortex shedding. For instance, acoustic resonance causes periodic pressure fluctuations that occur in accordance with the natural frequency and scale with the geometry and speed of sound. In combusting devices, this phenomenon is called combustion instability or thermoacoustic instability. In extreme cases, the amplitude of longitudinal mode pressure fluctuations can exceed 100% of the mean pressure and lead to mean pressure shifts, structural coupling, increased heat transfer to the chamber walls, and possible catastrophic failure. Damage of this kind can be directly correlated to increased program cost, diminished longevity, and reduced reliability of propulsion systems. This makes potential for instability a major limiting factor in the development and long-term deployment of new propulsion technologies. This partnership with the Fluid Dynamics Branch (ER42) at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center will evaluate these tools for relevance, ease of use, bug tracking, and feature request. GTL will package and supply MSFC with the most up-to-date version of their software and, in turn, MSFC will provide feedback to support continued refinement and higher TRL levels.

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.