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Compact and LWIR-Augmented WARS (CLAW)

Completed TRL 7 (started at 4, targeting 7)

Description

Develop and validate a compact, non-contact temperature measurement system capable of obtaining data across full temperature range. Building on FY22 CIF successes, this proposed continuation will focus on: 1) evaluating system accuracy, 2) reducing system size, enabling more measurements, 3) increasing measurement temperature range, and 4) preparing the technology for flight testing.

Benefits

Significantly increases ROI of flight testing for NASA, DoD, and DoE reentry and high-speed flight vehicles. Successful development of CLAW would enable the complete replacement of thermocouples and other contact temperature measurement sensors for high temperature regions of reentry and high speed flight structures. The associated benefits include but are not limited to: simplified vehicle integration, elimination of EMI concerns on data interpretation, weight savings, elimination of sensor attachment RDT&E, among others.

Details

Technology areaThermal Management Systems
ProgramCenter Innovation Fund: AFRC CIF (AFRC CIF)
Lead organizationArmstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA
Start date2022-10-01
End date2023-09-30

Project contacts

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

How to get involved

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.