STRATFI-Inversion (STRATFI-I)

Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) has developed an SBIR/STTR Phase-2 follow-on mechanism dubbed Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) to accelerate Phase-2 to Phase-3 SBIR transitions.  Multiple AFRL STRATFI investments are pursuing further development toward flight of hypersonic re-entry testbeds that provide mutual benefit to the NASA.  The newest STRATFI effort initiated with AFRL and transferred to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is with Inversion Space. This award with Inversion provides advancement of a Mid Lift/Drag (Mid L/D) 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.This award with AFRL also continues the NASA/DoD/DoW partnershp in hypersonics research. This award also supports addressing Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) shortfalls 1567: Entry Capabilities for Small-Scale and Commercial Missions as well as shortfall 1572: Performance Optomized Low-Cost Aeroshells for Entry Descent and Landing. Investments in STRATFI help NASA work with commercial partners to develop technologies that have high potential for offsetting mission risk, reducing cost, and advancing existing or creating new capabilities - technology investments that enable NASA’s science and human exploration missions and foster growth and job creation in domestic industries - through partnerships with universities, small businesses, and other Government agencies .

​This award with Inversion provides advancement of a Mid Lift/Drag (Mid L/D) 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.This award with AFRL also continues the NASA/DoD/DoW partnershp in hypersonics research. This award also supports addressing Entry Descent and Landing (EDL) shortfalls 1567: Entry Capabilities for Small-Scale and Commercial Missions as well as shortfall 1572: Performance Optomized Low-Cost Aeroshells for Entry Descent and Landing. Investments in STRATFI help NASA work with commercial partners to develop technologies that have high potential for offsetting mission risk, reducing cost, and advancing existing or creating new capabilities - technology investments that enable NASA’s science and human exploration missions and foster growth and job creation in domestic industries - through partnerships with universities, small businesses, and other Government agencies​.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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.