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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 3)
Adaptable Radiometric Measuring System (ARMS) is a low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) non-contact temperature measurement system, developed to benefit ground and flight tests of hypersonic and reentry vehicles across NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy. It measures the temperature of any components of heat shields, aeroshells, hot gas flow paths, or proximate structures. The NASA Technology Transfer Office sought to identify organizations who were willing to learn more about NASA's novel sensing technology and potentially license it to one or more organizations or teams.
NASA efforts to support commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has led to many new technologies, such as ARMS. The challenge of measuring high temperatures with a low SWaP system is present across a variety of air and space vehicles, as well as ground test and defense applications. Although commercial LEO, supersonic, and hypersonic development are obvious areas with the need for high temperature data, there exist other possible applications for this wireless and contactless high-temperature measurement technology. ARMS utilizes wireless fiber optic communication with a Data Acquisition Unit (DAU) that is separate from the heat source being measured. The tested temperature range for the sensor is 600ºC to 2900ºC (1112ºF to 5252ºF).
A public competition was the next logical step because the challenge of measuring high temperatures with a low Size Weight and Power (SWaP) system is present across a variety of air and space vehicles, as well as ground test and defense applications. Although commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO), supersonic, and hypersonic development need high temperature data are obvious areas of need; there are likely opportunities for ARMS to benefit many efforts not currently considered.
The advantages of ARMS over thermocouples and other technologies in use include:
ARMS will benefit ground and flight tests of hypersonic and reentry vehicles across NASA, DoD, DoE, making measurements on any components of heat shields, aeroshells, hot gas flow paths, or proximate structures.
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