Development of Alternative Critical Cleaning Method for Planetary Instrument Surfaces and Joined Surfaces

Completed TRL 4 (started at 3, targeting 4)

Description

The team seeks to use the establish solvent properties of supercritical CO2 to extract organics on assembled brazed joints. The team plans on determining the effectiveness by comparing the technique to established cleaning methods using predetermine contaminants. Utilizing the same test coupons, the method will be evaluated for its effectiveness on biological contamination. By the end of FY21, the goal is to establish a process parameter(s) for brazing joint cleaning and surfaces that must meet planetary protection cleanliness requirements. If successful, the procedure will be adopted as standard procedure for instrument brazing.

Benefits

The faying surfaces of brazed joints, free of contamination are recommended for achieving hermetic sealed joints. Instrument brazed joints, such as those found in windows require assembly that may introduce contamination that is not readily cleaned using traditional methods. This activity will focus on developing a cleaning method that can be utilized on fully assembled components in order to removed contamination introduced during handling and assembly, thereby reducing fabrication cost associated with joints not meeting leak rate requirements.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Optical Components
Program	Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF (GSFC CIF)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Antonio Moreno — antonio.moreno@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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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