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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
As NASA reaches out beyond Low Earth Orbit with increasing frequency and scope, NASA will rely on Autonomous/Robotic systems more often and to a greater degree. These systems will need to be capable of carrying out their mission without human monitoring and management. This autonomy presents increasing challenges for fault tolerant Avionics and Power Systems in future. Future systems will need to reduce mass without compromising power redundancy. This will require a change to the architectural design currently implemented in space power systems.
This project will develop an internally redundant power system prototype that has the capability to internally switch power channels to different loads of the similar type. This capability will include autonomous fault detect and switching capability. This system will be able to prioritize system loads to minimize mission impact and extend redundancy beyond current architecture limits while also reducing the number of redundant power systems needed to provide that redundancy. This technology will support Smart Power Bus (STMD-AVIONICS-017) and Autonomous power system controls (STMD-PWR-007 STMD) Capability Gaps required for Foundational Hab, Gateway HALO, Mars Transportation Hab, ISRU Plants, and Crewed/Uncrewed Mobility systems. This would be a Transformative Technology as it would change the technology/ architecture for power systems and change the processes for isolating and managing faults within the system.
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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.
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