← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 3)
HYPERION is a top-hat electrostatic plasma analyzer to measure ionospheric plasmas and unprecedented mass and energy resolution. This IRAD will create an ion optics design for a high mass resolution plasma spectrometer.
HYPERION is designed to measure low energy ions near planetary bodies. For example, ion drifts in Earth's ionosphere, study the escape of plasmas from other planets, or measure low energy sputtered ions from the surface of the moon. HYPERION will measure 3D plasma velocity distributions with high mass resolution. HYPERION has applications in both heliophysics with space weather and also planetary environments, in particular searching for volatile water-group ions escaping from permanently shadowed lunar craters.
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.