Dam Mars Study: Large Scale ISRU Propellant Production

Investigate the feasibility and risks of producing ISRU propellant for large-scale Mars ascent vehicles using hydroelectric power from the Martian ice caps. ​ For this concept, flow channels will be created with components printed from regolith and fluid from sub-glacial lakes will flow thru printed turbines to produce the required power output.​

Explores a new opportunity for Martian propellant production at a scale that is required for human missions using chemical propulsion. This option avoids challenges faced by powering ISRU production using a fission or photovoltaic source by utilizing pressurized pools of liquid under the Martian glaciers to drive hydroelectric power. Such concepts have been studied and even implemented terrestrially, but this project will be the first to study the concept for Mars. 

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.