Flowmeter Calibration Capability (2nd year: $250k)

There are currently very few vendors capable of empirically calibrating flow meters and orifices at pressures needed to match Reynolds number for flow conditions generally required in rocket propulsion testing. NASA does not currently have this capability. Agency & commercial test and flight programs regularly require the use of calibrated flow components, often surpassing the capabilities of current existing facilities. This setup will eliminate the agency’s dependence on the limited existing facilities which are known for lengthy lead times and exorbitant service charges. Phase I deliverables: Completed study and design with some level of implementation.

Enable high-fidelity flow measurements for propulsion testing of systems supporting Artemis and future Mars missions. Ensure data integrity for flight-critical components through high-fidelity calibration. Enhances readiness and responsiveness for critical test campaigns across the Moon to Mars architecture. Support commercial and agency test programs with scalable, cost-effective flow calibration services.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.