← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The objective is to develop high temperature repair and refurbishment technologies for carbon-carbon and ceramic matrix composite materials which have suffered surface erosion, foreign impact damage, and/or de-laminations. The outcome of the CIF activity will be the ability to repair damaged CMCs to enable 2x the reusable life versus CMC components which would otherwise need expensive replacements. The deliverable is the demonstration of high temperature repair and fiber reinforced patch material systems for refurbishing composite materials so that mechanical properties and environmental durability are maintained.
In-space repair and refurbishment are critically needed for extending the reusability (2x the life) and reducing the replacement and maintenance costs for the high-performance carbon-carbon and ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials that are utilized for propulsion and airframe applications in hypersonic and aerospace vehicles.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
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.