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R5 (R5)

Completed TRL 5 (started at 5, targeting 9)

Description

Realizing Rapid, Reduced-cost high-Risk Research (R5) is a technology demonstration mission to build and operate rapid, low-cost, highly-capable spacecraft platforms to demonstrate payloads of interest and technology relevant to human spaceflight.

Benefits

Low-cost, reliable, and reusable small spacecraft buses are a desirable capability for multiple NASA and NASA-partner mission applications. Reducing risk and cost for the spacecraft bus enables more ambitious and more capable missions.

Details

Technology areaFlight Computing and Avionics > Avionics Systems and Subsystems > Advanced Commercial-off-the-Shelf Technologies
ProgramSmall Spacecraft Technology (SST)
Lead organizationJohnson Space Center, Houston, TX
Start date2022-09-30
End date2025-10-01

Project contacts

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

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.