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Active TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 5)
On the Mars Perseverance rover, a suite of five spacesuit materials is being exposed to the environment and spectroscopy data is being taken by the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman & Luminescence for Organics & Chemicals) instrument. This project will: (1) Secure a corresponding ground test experiment repeating this exposure in a simulated Mars chamber; (2) Evaluate exposed materials for changes; and (3) Correlate in-situ vs. experimental spectroscopy SHERLOC data.
This project will provide improved understanding of the effect that Mars radiation has on currently used and candidate materials, not only for space suits but other surface assets including rovers and habitats.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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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