A Microbial Characterization System for Advancing Planetary Protection Bioburden Assessments

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

This project will implement a system for characterization and study of microorganisms detected on Planetary Protection-sensitive flight-hardware at Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).

Benefits

This project represents the start of a targeted approach to cleaning Planetary Protection (PP) sensitive hardware that evaluates the metabolic processes and the inherent nature of the microorganisms.

Details

Technology area	Exploration Destination Systems > Mission Operations and Safety > Planetary Protection
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2022-10-01
End date	2024-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Michael J Amato — michael.j.amato@nasa.gov
Terry A Hurford — terry.a.hurford@nasa.gov
Amelia B Congedo — amelia.b.congedo@nasa.gov
Erin N Lalime — erin.lalime@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.