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Gandalf Staff Mobile Tool for Lunar Exploration YEAR 2

Completed TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)

Description

Gandalf Staff is a 24v battery powered mobile tool for the lunar surface supporting crewed geologic field site exploration, or as a stand-alone science platform. Year2 IRAD funding supports development of a subsurface heat probe instrument, enhanced power and lighting systems.

Benefits

The staff is a supplemental tool designed to augment the capabilities of the lunar xEVA suit lighting, audio-visual, communications, and infomatics capabilities. Components of the Gandalf Staff can be developed, tested, and deployed independently, or on the integrated staff. The project supports crew safety, lunar sample curation, mission science, and public outreach goals of NASA.

Details

Technology areaCommunications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Network-Provided Position, Navigation, and Timing > Revolutionary PNT Technologies
ProgramCenter Innovation Fund: JSC CIF (JSC CIF)
Lead organizationJohnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Start date2021-10-01
End date2022-09-30

Project contacts

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

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.