Sigma-Netics Sensor Support Electronics (SN:SSE)

Sigma-Netics intends on developing a hybrid microchip version of the MEDLI SSE that will meet the requirement of MIL-PRF-38534. NASA wishes to equip all future planetary missions with a MEDLI like EDL system. Many planetary missions do not have the funding or project timeline to fly an EDL sensor suite similar to the MEDLI and MEDLI2. Sigma-Netics will develop a low cost Data Acquisition System that can survive the rigors of space flight and be cost effective to fly on all planetary missions. A fully qualified target cost of less than 1 million dollars is achievable by the innovative approach we are outlining. By using hybrid technology to make a custom EDL “system on a chip” massive size and weight saving will be had. In addition by utilizing MIL-PRF-38534 will maintain the ruggedness and reliability of the MEDLI & MEDLI2 SSE. Cabling makes up considerable mass in all data acquisition spacecraft systems. By going wireless the entire system size and mass is greatly reduced. This will allow for the agency’s desire to deliver larger payloads to planets. The SBIR has requested a module size of less than 10 cm3 with a max number of four modules. Sigma-Netics believes this achievable by integrating all of the signal conditioning and multiplexing into hybrid microcircuits specifically designed for EDL type applications. With our experience with MEDLI & MEDLI2 SSE the fundamental circuity would remain similar. The electrical system design and brass board prototypes will demonstrate that this new design meets and performs similar to MEDLI2 SSE with its measurement uncertainty. This will be fully demonstrated during phase one. Then we will begin the integration of that base design into hybrid microcircuit design. This way we keep the performance, but create our system on chip structure and the smallest EDL sensor support electronics ever built.

This technology would be especially relevant to upcoming Science Mission Directorate (SMD) planetary missions, such as DAVINCI and VERITAS, but low-cost data acquisition systems with these capabilities would also be relevant to the other science lines of business, especially for future cost and volume-constrained and distributed systems missions.

Aerojet Rocketdyne, Astrobotic, Astranis, Masten Space Systems, Collins Space Systems, AVS-UK, Busek, Curtis Wright Nuclear, and CERN provide Sigma-Netics real time market intel to availability and opportunity for a product solution like the one proposed here. Success here will translate to higher volume opportunities with private and public companies, not just relevant space agencies.

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.