CLAViUS Mechanical Active Heat Switch for Lunar Night Survival

CLAViUS (Conduction-based Lunar Active Variable Universal Heat Switch) is a mechanically activated heat switch that directly addresses NASA’s number one civil space technology shortfall by enabling lunar surface payloads to survive and operate through the 14-day lunar night. The system mechanically engages to enhance heat rejection during the lunar day and disengages to prevent heat loss during the lunar night, aiming to achieve a turndown ratio ≥1250:1 in a 1U volume. This IRAD will advance CLAViUS from TRL-3 to TRL-4 through design optimization, fabrication and testing, targeting continuous long-duration lunar missions for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) payloads, Artemis instruments and rovers. It could also benefit quantum computing, energy storage and defense applications by speeding up thermal testing when using cryogenics.

Provides cryogenic thermal switching for lunar missions surviving harsh day/night cycles; Motor-driven actuation with generatively designed isolation structures; Component validation in relevant environment (TRL 3 to 5 advancement)

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.