STRATFI-Outpost (STRATFI-O)

Multiple AFRL STRATFI investments are pursuing further development toward flight of hypersonic re-entry testbeds that provide mutual benefit to the NASA LAND Domain.  The newest STRATFI effort with Outpost Technologies Corp provides advancement of a deployable aeroshell and parafoil system that can benefit several NASA+AFRL shared objectives with a hypersonic testbed, including providing validation data for existing computational models, new deceleration systems models, guided parafoil performance data, and assessment of hypersonic re-entry algorithms. The testbed will also provide NASA with atmospheric entry environments, which are more representative of flight than sounding rocket entries or arcjets, for testing and demonstrating new entry and descent system sensors and evaluating thermal protection system materials.   The development, integration, and flight test execution of a mechanically deployed hypersonic decelerator from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) will provide valuable mission relevant performance data of the high temperature fabric forming the primary drag surface of the decelerator.  Flight data associated with the performance of thermal protection systems will be used to validate material response models and correlation with representative ground tests used in system development.  Recovery of the entry vehicle and decelerator will enable direct material evaluation of the thermal protection system after exposure to the stressing temperatures and aerodynamic loads experienced during entry.The task will focus on enabling NASA access to data on the performance of the hypersonic decelerator and the ability to test LAND technologies, primarily in thermal protection systems.  The task will be led and supported by subject matter experts who will attend partnership meetings and review and keep the LAND Domain apprised of the program status and opportunities.

​The development, integration, and flight test execution of a mechanically deployed hypersonic decelerator from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) will provide valuable mission relevant performance data of the high temperature fabric forming the primary drag surface of the decelerator.  Flight data associated with the performance of thermal protection systems will be used to validate material response models and correlation with representative ground tests used in system development. The ability to obtain flight data from repeated flight tests of the entry system will enable the possibility to apply lessons learned, apply performance improvements, and establish applicable performance envelopes.  The possible application of mechanically deployable hypersonic decelerators has been studied for decades with recognition of mission enabling features that overcome mechanical and geometric limitations placed on rigid entry vehicles due to launch vehicle and secondary payload accommodation constraints.  Flight demonstrations of this technology will advance the state of the art and serve to mitigate implemention and operational risks.

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.