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Ultra-lightweight Core Materials
Completed
TRL 6 (started at 3, targeting 6)
Description
Power and data cables for avionics and other parts of spacecraft add considerable weight to the vehicle
Benefits
NASA Funded: In a potential NASA follow-on activity, a sandwich panel skirt segment (applicable to SLS upper stage) will be produced from ultra-lightweight core sandwich structures for subsequent testing. Commercial: The development of ultra-lightweight, multifunctional structures will enable significant reductions in the structural mass of future aerospace vehicles.
Details
| Technology area | Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Materials > Lightweight Structural Materials |
| Program | Game Changing Development (GCD) |
| Lead organization | Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH |
| Start date | 2015-07-30 |
| End date | 2017-05-31 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.