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Completed TRL 6 (started at 5, targeting 9)
This Technology Development Project consists of the development of a new NASA Super Pressure Balloon vehicle system. The NASA Balloon Program conducts balloon missions with balloons that are up to 40 Million Cubic Feet (MCF) in volume, and are capable of lifting over 8,000 pounds of payload weight to over 120,000 feet in altitude. The NASA standard balloon designs are zero pressure balloons, which are vented to the atmosphere and will lose altitude during nighttime flight conditions. Super Pressure Balloons are sealed balloons that are designed to be pressurized, and will maintain a constant pressure altitude during daytime and nighttime ambient conditions. These new balloons are also designed to survive 100 days of flight duration, which provides significantly longer science observation times than conventional zero pressure balloons can.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.