Dust Tolerant Connectors and High Voltage AC Cable Development (DTC-TASK)

A Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III was awarded to Yank Technologies in July of 2025 to develop a TRL-5, Bi-Directional, Dust-Tolerant, 6kW, Resonant Connector System designed to operate reliably in the extreme conditions of lunar and planetary environments. The proposed system replaces conventional interfaces that rely on exposed copper leads, which are prone to high impedance due to lunar regolith accumulation. This system will be used to connect two lunar elements, such as power sources and loads, including Lunar Terrain Vehicles (LTV), rovers and In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems, providing up to 6kW of peak power exchange. These design requirements are based on the M2M-30002 Artemis Requirements Document and EHP-10069 Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Power Specification.    The tasks to complete this project are: * Develop a vehicle interface that operates at 120 VDC and can be integrated on the vehicle. The exposed side of the interface that connects to the cable shall be dust tolerant. * Develop a dust-tolerant interface on the cable side. * Develop or procure a cable less than 100 meters, but should be greater than 40 meters, and can be carried by an astronaut. * Test and demonstrate operation of the dust-tolerant interface in a relevant environment, using lunar regolith simulant (i.e. GRC-1 or another equivalent). Testing plans include temperature cycling, thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, Electromagnetic Compatibility and Electromagnetic Interference (EMC/EMI), shock and vibration, and abrasion testing. * Characterize operation using 120 VDCs and 120 VDC at 3kW and 5kW. * Deliver prototype to GRC.   The project is planned to complete by January of 2027.

Yank Technologies is developing a solution directly addressing NASA's critical need for a reliable, high-efficiency power transmission medium capable of operating in the challenging conditions on lunar and planetary surfaces. Lofted regolith is an expected challenge for power connections between sources and users, such as vehicles, rovers and In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) systems. A fully sealed resonant connector design will protect critical elements from the harsh lunar environment. This work will directly inform other future planning with Microgrid and the Universal Modular Interface Converter (UMIC) development for the Mars Campaign Office (MCO). A successful demonstration of the 6kW 120 VDC dust-tolerant connector will likely lead to adoption within the Moon To Mars (M2M) programs. The Extravehicular Activity & Human Surface Mobility (EHP) program (Pressurized Rover), Human Landing Systems program (Multi-Purpose Habitat) and newly proposed External Power Augmentation system, all require a dust-tolerant 6kW peak capable connector that operates at 120 VDC. A demonstrated TRL 5 dust-tolerant connector that needs to be further developed to TRL 6 can be further advanced by any of the M2M programs that require this ability.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.

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