Sigma-Netics Sensor Support Electronics (SN:SSE)

We intend on developing a hybrid microchip version of the MEDLI SSE that will meet the requirement of MIL-PRF-38534. NASA wishes to equip all future planetary missions with a MEDLI like EDL system. Many planetary missions do not have the funding or project timeline to fly an EDL sensor suite similar to the MEDLI and MEDLI2. We will develop a low cost Data Acquisition System that can survive the rigors of space flight and be cost effective to fly on all planetary missions. A fully qualified target cost of less than $1 million is achievable by this approach. In Phase two we will complete the integration of that base design into a hybrid microcircuit design and perform environmental testing. We will perform day in the life testing to fully demonstrate there is no loss of performance but huge cost and mass savings. We intend on developing a hybrid microchip version of the MEDLI SSE that will meet the requirement of MIL-PRF-38534. NASA wishes to equip all future planetary missions with a MEDLI like EDL system. Many planetary missions do not have the funding or project timeline to fly an EDL sensor suite similar to the MEDLI and MEDLI2. We will develop a low cost Data Acquisition System that can survive the rigors of space flight and be cost effective to fly on all planetary missions. A fully qualified target cost of less than $1 million is achievable by this approach. In Phase two we will complete the integration of that base design into a hybrid microcircuit design and perform environmental testing. We will perform day in the life testing to fully demonstrate there is no loss of performance but  huge cost and mass savings. Propose Activity: Engineering Model SN:SSE Critical Design Review Review of designs prior to releasing to production. Propose Activity: Engineering Model SN:SSE Manufacturing Readiness Review Have all the procedure ready for building the Engineering Model SN:SSE. Propose Activity: Environmental Testing of the Engineering Model SN:SSE Sigma-Netics will place the Engineering Model SN:SSE in environmental testing. Testing will include Thermal Vacuum, EMC, and Random Vibration and shock. Propose Activity: the Engineering Model SN:SSE Day in the life Testing Final demonstration the Engineering Model SN:SSE meets all of the requirements from MEDLI2 in operation.

This technology would be especially relevant to upcoming Science Mission Directorate (SMD) planetary missions, such as DAVINCI and VERITAS, but low-cost data acquisition systems with these capabilities would also be relevant to the other science lines of business, especially for future cost and volume-constrained and distributed systems missions. Aerojet Rocketdyne, Astrobotic, Astranis, Masten Space Systems, Collins Space Systems, AVS-UK, Busek, Curtis Wright Nuclear, and CERN provide Sigma-Netics real time market intel to availability and opportunity for a product solution like the one proposed here. Success here will translate to higher volume opportunities with private and public companies, not just relevant space agencies.

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.

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.