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Active TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 7)
As NASA progresses to longer, farther, and more complex destinations, providing our crew members with a safe and healthy environment is essential to mission success. Our current process for microbial surface sampling includes returning samples to be processed and analyzed on the ground. Martian missions will not include sample return, so we must ensure the crew can handle and analyze samples within their habitat. The Exploration Medical Integrated Product Team (XMIPT), in conjunction with the NASA Microbiology Lab at Johnson Space Center, have created an innovative solution to address this issue.
The development of BioMole Prep addresses these concerns by automating sample preparation. This change reduces the chances of human error, and the length of time crew must spend processing samples from five hours to two, allows for more complex analysis, and can allow crew to respond quickly while making health care and environmental related decisions.
Samples critical to maintaining a healthy environment will be analyzed in real time, enabling the crew to respond promptly to any environmental concerns or changes. This technology enables additional data to be collected, allowing for more informed and autonomous risk assessments to be performed by crewmembers and ground teams.
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This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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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