Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA)

Robust Isolation for Vibration Abating (RIVA) is suitable for integration in an optical transceiver to reject high frequency base disturbances by at least 50 dB. RIVA has integrated launch protection for its shock & vibration isolation component. RIVA is directly applicable to long-range optical telecommunication systems, and it is beneficial for any sensitive instrument requiring high stability for improved performance. RIVA will reduce angular errors from vibrations reaching low mass laser beam control assemblies. While this project is focused on space version of RIVA, eventually, our solution will have two additional variants designed for a particular operating condition and platform, i.e., Ground and Air. It will meet qualifications of extreme shock and vibration attenuation during non-operating period and mitigates high frequency micro vibrations during laser operations while minimizing its weight to meet mission requirements. Our innovative solution offers low size, weight, and power (SWaP) with improved efficiency, reliability, and robustness as related to its function, high frequency isolation. RIVA will utilize our proprietary elastomeric formulas which have been space-qualified and deployed upon NASA spacecraft. The soft prototype showed a reduction of launch load acceleration to the optical device from a peak value of roughly 1500 Gs to below 7 Gs (99.5% reduction). In addition, the maximum stress induced in the soft elastomer (0.2 MPa) was well below the rupture point (ultimate tensile strength) for rubber (3-5 MPa). In other words, the soft elastomer is protected from launch loads due to the hard elastomer engaging during the launch event. Four RIVAs, supporting an optical platform, showed a reduction in angular vibration from 150 µradians to below 1.5 µradians (99% reduction or 40 dB reduction based on 20Log) over 100 Hz.

RIVA is designed to be suitable for all missions requiring high stability communication pointing and alignment. RIVA is an innovative solution for advancing free-space optical communications by pushing future data volume returns to and from space missions in multiple domains with return data rates >100 Gbps (cislunar, i.e., Earth or lunar orbit to ground), >10 Gbps (Earth-Sun L1 and L2), >1 Gbps/AU2 (deep space), and >1 Gbps (planetary lander to orbiter and/or inter-spacecraft).

RIVA will be adopted for non-NASA optical communication satellites with the need for high-stability alignment will be necessary. RIVA’s flexible design makes it applicable to various communication satellite sizes. We will explore applications to production facilities for sensitive optical devices, sensitive medical devices, and airborne optical sensors onboard reconnaissance aircraft, and drones.

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.