High-volumetric-efficiency inflatable-rigidizable booms for secondary support structures

Our proposed inflatable-rigidizable composite boom is an ideal application for secondary support structures for space telescope sunshades. The deployable boom combines the high volumetric compaction ratio of a pure fabric inflatable with the strength, stiffness and thermal stability of a high performance fused quartz glass fiber composite. Its compact deployment system is self contained and does not require solar or electrical energy to drive the rigidization process. The resulting boom structure is long lasting, dielectrically transparent and will not suffer catastrophic damage from micrometeoroids.

Satellite solar arrays, long instrumentation booms, solar sails, habitation volumes, phased array antennas, atmospheric reentry vehicles, kinetic energy absorption structures.

Commercial satellite solar arrays, commercial satellite antennas. Piping, large conduit, rescue hoists, supports for softwalled shelters.

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.