Low Cost Cryocooler Control Electronics for Small Space Platforms

Many of NASA’s future space science missions will utilize small spacecraft, and many of these missions will require cryocoolers for cooling detectors, sensors, shields, and telescopes. For Class C and D missions, the cryocooler technical requirements for performance, size, and mass, coupled with the programmatic requirements for minimal cost and development time, are extremely challenging. Flight‑ready cryocoolers and associated control electronics developed for traditional satellites do not meet these technical, cost, or schedule requirements for future small space platforms. Creare proposes to develop low cost cryocooler control electronics. The work proposed expands upon a prior successful Phase II program to increase the output power level of the cryocooler control electronics by 100% and provide enhanced features for driving a state-of-the art cryocooler. This development will enable future space missions requiring increased cooling capacity at an affordable price.

The successful completion of this program will provide mission planners with high performance and low cost cryocooler systems for advanced sensors and instruments. Primary emphasis will be on achieving low cost, small size, and high performance for cost‑constrained, small space platform missions. NASA applications include cooling of scientific instruments, and weather and environmental monitoring sensors.

Non-NASA applications include cooling for missile defense, surveillance, and weather monitoring missions. These systems may be implemented in space or on unmanned aerial vehicles.

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.