Soft Magnetic Alloy Printing for Propulsion Enhancement

Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Augment existing NASA rocket hardware with strategically placed (via AM DED) high saturation magnetic alloy to influence combustion properties and increase force generation

Benefits

5-20% increase in thruster ISP

Details

Technology area	Propulsion Systems > Chemical Space Propulsion > Solids
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2024-10-01
End date	2025-09-30

Project contacts

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

Samad A Firdosy — samad.a.firdosy@jpl.nasa.gov
Paul R Gradl — paul.r.gradl@nasa.gov
Thomas W Teasley — thomas.w.teasley@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.