Cryogenic Sample Return (STACIS)

The Transport Acquisition of Cryogenic Icy Samples (STACIS) is the collection of needed technologies, and the preliminary design of the system needed to store and bring back cryogenic samples from locations on the moon to earth within the Artemis program within limited mass, power and con ops resources. The core technology development for STACIS focuses on design and demonstration of a compact dewar system capable of maintaining regolith samples at cryogenic temperatures of 60 K-84 K to preserve their scientific integrity, particularly of any volatile substances such as water and other gases. One secondary project goal is to make the design extensible to even lower sample temperatures with some changes. The technology and early design features include complex seals, thermal control solutions, power and thermal management, contamination features and compatibility with Artemis, astronaut and con ops. The design leverages years of robotic cold and cryogenic sample return work as well as cryogenic space systems. The STACIS effort is directly extensible to other solar system sample goals. The STACIS design will attempt to use a hybrid thermal management approach which should, if we meet our goals, enable efficient, lower[1]mass, and lower-power transport of pristine samples from extraction sites – such as permanently shadowed regions on the Moon – to laboratories on Earth, where the cryogenic volatiles trapped in the icy regolith can be carefully analyzed. The early part of the project and team effort focuses on the early design and most essential technology demonstrations. Please contact STMD GCD or Michael Amato at NASA GSFC for more information.

​The Storage Transport Acquisition of Cryogenic Icy Samples (STACIS) project will enable new and challenging planetary exploration by enabling the return of pristine cryogenic samples from Moon, Mars, and beyond. Designed for both human and robotic missions, STACIS ensures samples remain uncontaminated and preserves volatile compounds essential for scientific breakthroughs. With an advanced containment system, cryogenic specimens from volatile rich asteroids, comets, and other icy worlds like Ceres, Enceladus, and Europa are secured at or near their original temperatures for transport to Earth or research habitats. STACIS is not just collecting samples – it’s unlocking the frozen secrets of our Solar System and advancing planetary science in  ways which have yet to be fully achieved as part of human exploration and ribtici exploration. STACIS will create a new design to solve the challnge on Artemis that is directly usable for Mars. STACIS also will excersize or work mechanical, power, thermal sample aqusition and con ops, helping the larger Arrtemis and Moon to Mars design effort​

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.