Windspeed Sensor for Planetary Science Applications

In-situ instrumentation is needed that can withstand the harsh environments imposed by planetary atmospheres in order to make advancements in solar system exploration. Technologies that can withstand the corrosive/caustic gases, radiation levels, stresses, and high temperatures and pressures, while still producing reliable, real-time data are a major facilitator for planetary missions. To address this need, Sporian is developing a harsh environment wind speed and direction sensor targeted toward future Venus probe spacecraft. The proposed technology will be beneficial to NASA’s planetary science mission by facilitating environmental chamber testing & validation, and wind speed and direction measurements in the Venus atmosphere and on the surface. The Phase I effort will focus on heavily leveraging prior harsh environment, in-situ instrumentation development and, with input from current/prior NASA partners, will construct, test, and characterize prototype sensor suites. If successful, Sporian will be well prepared for Phase II efforts focused on producing full demonstration units for application-relevant testing and addressing integration strategies.

A harsh environment sensor that can provide real-time wind speed and direction information has the potential to provide major advancements in planetary science. The technology will target the Glenn Extreme Environment Rig and its capability to mimic planetary conditions such as those on Venus, but be directly applicable to both current and future NASA programs/directorates, and facilitate innovations in vehicle performance monitoring, environmental testing, and atmospheric characterization of planetary bodies.

Land-based power generation systems, including nuclear and solar power plants, would benefit from a small flowmeter allowing for visibility of the conditions in supercritical CO2 Thermal Energy Storage (TES) and Heat Transfer Fluid (HTF) lines. Additional potential market areas include marine propulsion, rail locomotives, automotive, oil and gas refining, and government and academic laboratories.

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.

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