← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed
NASA’s Gateway and the mission to return astronauts to the moon by 2024 will require advancements in technology, particularly in the area of cryogenic fluid management (CFM) if cryogenic propellants are to be used. The proposed effort will leverage the benefits of additively manufactured (AM) lattice structures to create a cryogenic strut with strength comparable to the current state of the art (SOA), but with lower mass, cost, and improved thermal performance. The current SOA at NASA for cryogenic struts is the Cryogenic Propellant Storage and Transfer (CPST) strut. This strut was developed and tested at MSFC to support cryogenic Ground Test Article testing, and consists of an S-Glass or IM7/8552 tube (low conductivity layered composite) bonded to a metal (Invar or Titanium) end fitting. The key to this innovation is the development of a unique lattice topology idealized for its thermal and structural (thermostructural) properties. This will take place by performing small scale testing and selecting a lattice optimized for its thermostructural properties. This effort will take place in three phases, first down-selecting a thermostructural lattice, next structural scale testing, then finally, combined cryogenic/structural testing to achieve TRL 5. The final deliverable will be a fully tested strut design that can be adapted to projects currently underway at the agency. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) has been doing low-level development work on lattice structures for the past few years, but there is currently no commercial application/competition in this field. Lunar Transportation Systems Descent Stage is interested in this technology, the proceedings from this effort will be applied to that project, with the potential for a sub-scale flight test as soon as 2020, providing a direct path to infusion.
This concept will be DISRUPTIVE, drastically changing the way NASA passively isolates cryogenic tanks on orbit; This project will reduce the cost and lead time for projects using cryogenically stored propellants, such as lunar landers and Gateway
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.
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.