Polaris Project: Spaceflight Autonomous Multigenerational Microbial Sequencer (SAMMS)

Enabling Capabilities special project series: Polaris Project, small flight experiments or risk reduction projects to fulfill high-priority capabilities gaps.

Project Description & Objectives

The SAMMS project automated an Oxford Nanopore library preparation and sequencing method to a CubeSat payload system.

A breadboard system in a 4U CubeSat payload form factor was developed and demonstrated consisting of three modular components:

1. a multigeneration microbiological culture chamber,
2. a microfluidic charged info-storage polymer prep system (ChIPPS) sample extraction and purification device,
3. a microfluidic library prep device that interfaces with an Oxford Nanopore MinION sequencing device (COTS).

Full automation of the hardware will support a crew-free in situ sequencing capability for exploration.

Why this project is important & Tier 1 gap addressed.

The SAMMS capability can provide across-generation monitoring of microbes relevant to plant production, water purification processes or in-situ resource utilization under spaceflight conditions, including increased radiation and reduced gravity and is amenable to the spaceflight form factor (small, light and automated).

Four Tier 1 HEOMD Capability Gaps can be addressed:

06-117, Storing, processing, and analyzing of in-situ biological samples during Earth-independent operations;

06-118, Earth-independent food system;

06-08, In-flight water Quality Monitoring for Quantification and Identification;

06-29, Safe, Acceptable, and Nutritious Food System.

Major Milestones

• Build/procure and test the three modular components of the device in isolation.
• Combine the three modular components for in-line operation.
• Demonstrate autonomous operation of the complete system.

Technology infusion & innovation approach

One or more of several technology-infusion mission opportunities are targeted for the 4U SAMMS payload:

• With a 2U lander-interface module, it can be delivered as a self-contained 6U system suitable for operation on a commercial lunar lander, Gateway, or the ISS;
• With a 2U bus and spacecraft it can be deployed as a free-flying satellite in or beyond LEO, as a future Artemis secondary payload. SAMMS also will be adaptable to multiple flight-module habitats, including future space crop production hardware.

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.