3-D Printed Thrust Takeout Structure Challenge, Year 1

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

We would begin by creating a pilot for a 3-D Printed Thrust Takeout Structure (TTS) Challenge for higher education students in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana (although this could also be scaled for secondary school students) This challenge would require teams of two (2) or more students ) to create a test stand article designed to hold down a test engine (simulated). This device will need to be designed and printed on a 3-D printer. These articles would be judged and tested by NASA SSC engineers. We would need to work with the NASA engineers to design a simple mechanism to test the strength of each test stand article to see how much stress/load each device can handle and how much thrust it might restrain. We would also have to develop a set of specifications that the device would need to meet to connect with our test device. The students would submit their designs and the evaluation team would print them and then test them using our measurement device. For the pilot the students would not be required to attend the test runs at Stennis, but that could be changed later. The students would also be required to turn in an Engineering Design Notebook which would detail the research and design process they went through to create and test the their device. This project could be done virtually. The top three teams for design and performance would be awarded prizes ($500, $300, $200) and maybe a day of activities at Stennis. This challenge would encourage students to study engineering, 3-D printing techniques and contribute to the pool of innovative design ideas and considerations, and possibly contribute to a employable design for NASA to use in development of engine test stands.
In addition, we could include some in-house training for SSC personnel on the use of 3-D printers to expand this capability on-site.
Additionally, training will be provided to SSC civil servants in 3-D printing, in our HIVE creative workspace, and invite them to assist in designing a TTS and encourage them to pursue technology development projects enabling SSC to support agency exploration goals.

Benefits

In recent years there have been a number of articles detailing the shortages of engineers and technical workers with 3-D printing skills [SCH2018][GUI2018]. There is a need to enhance an aspect of the innovative culture at SSC in part through more and robust use of 3-D printing capabilities at the center. Another CIF project is developing technology for systems within a small, mobile rocket engine test facility which also needs a Thrust Takeout Structure for stability of the facility during testing. This 3-D printing CIF proposal will address the 3-D printing skill needs and enhanced innovative culture needs identified above as well as support the small, mobile test stand project with 3-D modelled ideas of thrust takeout structures for possible consideration. This project will approach those needs in two ways: 1) an outreach pilot effort engaging students to learn 3-D printing skills and engineering principles; and 2) an in reach effort providing training in 3-D printing through our HIVE collaborative, innovative workspace which has 3-D printers.

Details

Technology area	Ground, Test, and Surface Systems > Test and Qualification Environments > Flight and Ground Testing Methodologies
Program	Center Innovation Fund: SSC CIF (SSC CIF)
Lead organization	Stennis Space Center, Stennis Space Center, MS
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.

Mitchell Krell — mitch.krell@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.