Advanced Structural Systems Material Characterization to Establish NASA Database

Inflatable softgoods and composite primary structures provide significant volume/mass benefits and can increase capabilities when implemented within surface/in-space habitation and logistics elements, transportation, and mobility systems relative to current state of the art metallic options. The mechanical behavior of these advanced material systems has only been studied at a component level in detail, with few larger-scale module tests conducted that include the effects of fabrication and biaxial loading that occurs in their pressurized state. Test data on these structures is primarily IP protected and industry owned. Extensive NASA-owned data exists at a component level and has been critical as a base of reference to industry in their development programs, however there is no database of test data that includes specimens under realistic biaxial loading with the lay-up, indexing, and fabrication effects of a built-up article, which is vital for understanding and modeling their behavior. This proposal will leverage the new Multi-Axis Testbed for Innovative Structural Systems (MATISS) at MSFC, to initiate testing and characterization of sub-component softgoods specimens that establish a NASA-controlled, MSFC-led, publicly accessible database on advanced structural systems. MATISS is coming online this summer, and after initial testing and check-out will be available in Q1 FY26. The proposed database will provide test cases for finite element model development, verification, and validation, and critical comparative data for industry and NASA, including baseline performance, and test cases including the effects of damage parameters and sensor integration. In addition, this effort provides MSFC technical staff with direct experience in developing test methodologies, executing tests, and building invaluable expertise with advanced material systems that are being considered for future habitation, and provides partnership opportunities with industry and academia.

Establish and initiate testing in support of a database of mechanical performance / sensitivities for advanced material systems for habitation via leveraging the new MATISS multi-axis sub-component testing capability at MSFC.

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.

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