Lateral Stabilization Methods (LSM-TASK)

NASA is working to expand human presence on the Moon first and then on Mars. Many infrastructures will require structures that need to stabilize and anchor to the surface to improve structural capability and reliability. However, much of this infrastructure will need to be deployed autonomously ahead of human presence on the surface and without human interaction. This research project is exploring the development of lateral stabilization methods to improve the structural margin of vertical masts. This includes actively controlled outriggers or guy wires to be deployed from equipment such as from the base of a vertical solar array (VSAT). The outriggers are implemented as three foldable mechanical arms that are initially secured against the deployment mechanism of the vertical mast to be autonomously erected. The outriggers are spaced 120 deg from each other and extend to a horizontal configuration via linear actuators. The guy wires connect the mast deployer to the mast tip and are paid off by the active controller to guarantee the mast is erected straight and under adequate loading. Once the mast is fully deployed the outriggers will continue to support the mast, increasing its structural stability, and pointing accuracy and stability. The project will fabricate a set of outrigger prototypes and perform functional testing with them to assess their usefulness and performance using an existing representative boom deployment mechanism.The project will also perform an independent study of future ground anchoring systems applicable to VSATs by establishing requirements, technology needs, and provide recommendations for future developments.

The development of lateral stabilization methods to improve the structural margin and stability of large autonomously deployed surface assets under gravity is a need for the Moon to Mars campaign. This research project will be a first practical task to guide the design of future ground stabilization systems to be developed at NASA and by its partners. Cable driven stabilization such as those provided to transmission towers is well understood in Earth conditions but realizing autonomously deployed cable-driven systems in a Moon/Mars environment would be ​a first for humankind. There are many challenges that need to be explored and characterized. Certain payloads to be positioned at the top of the surface assets also have stringent pointing accuracy and stability requirements such as communication systems. For certain assets, the outrigger wires/cables will need to be fixed to the surface requiring anchoring systems such as self-driven augers that need to be positioned robotically. A preliminary study detailing requirements, technology needs and recommendations will guide future investments in this area.

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.