Minimalistic Advanced SoftGoods Hatch (MASH)

MASH project will mature structures and materials technologies with direct application to NASA's future space exploration missions. MASH is developing a lightweight novel soft-goods hatch for in-space applications.

NASA Funded: High strength softgoods and inflatable structures development have been identified as beneficial technologies for deep space habitation, and considered required technologies for long-term surface habitation by the NASA Human Spaceflight Architecture Team (HAT). The game changing capability is that an inflatable pressure stabilized softgoods structural volume can be depressurized, compressed, and stowed within or around a port of a space vehicle. With the structure stowed on the side of the vehicle, the stowed configuration has the potential to reduce the launch stack for expected mission architectures. A promising concept proposed for the Evolvable Mars Campaign (EMC) missions is a stowable minimalistic airlock, tunnel, access way, or alcove that packages within the hatch/docking access port for utilization during EVA. NASA Unfunded: Providing EVA Airlock Capabilities to future manned missions with minimal mass and flexible packaging options. Commercial: Provides not only EVA Airlock capabilities but also provides advancement of softgoods technology. Nation: Improved launch capabilities when EVA is required for manned missions..

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.

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